Cloudbursts and Flash Floods Devastate J&K, Leading to Fatalities and Disruptions; IMD Issues Alerts

Jammu and Kashmir is currently dealing with the aftermath of intense rainfall, which has led to the issuance of severe weather alerts, including warnings for landslides and cloudbursts, by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The recent downpours have claimed at least four lives in Doda district, and have caused significant damage to properties across the Jammu region. Authorities have reported that two deaths resulted from a house collapsing, while the other two were due to flash floods. The district administration is managing rescue and relief operations to address the damage to homes and other structures. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened an emergency meeting to discuss the ongoing situation and stated his intention to travel to Jammu to personally oversee the efforts, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) is closed due to landslides and flooding, and schools across Jammu have been shut down as a safety measure. The Tawi Bridge is also inaccessible. The IMD has issued orange and yellow alerts for several districts, warning of additional flash floods, landslides, and rising water levels. Forecasts indicate that the heavy rainfall is expected to persist in several areas, with South Kashmir projected to be most affected. Authorities are urging caution, particularly in areas prone to flooding and landslides. Rescue teams, including police, SDRF, and civil defense, are working to assist distressed families. Exams for 10th and 11th classes scheduled by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) have been postponed due to the severe weather conditions.