Srinagar: Continuous heavy rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday has triggered flood-like conditions in several districts, damaging property, crops, and infrastructure. Authorities ordered the closure of all schools across Kashmir and Jammu divisions as rivers and tributaries swelled beyond danger levels.
Visuals from Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian showed apple orchards inundated and extensively damaged, raising fears of huge economic losses for farmers at the peak of harvest season. In Anantnag town, the Arpat river at Ashajipora was flowing at alarming levels, while the Veshaw river at Khudwani (Kulgam) and Sheshnag Nallah in Pahalgam both crossed the flood mark on Wednesday morning.
Authorities began evacuating families from Qoimoh in Kulgam, one of the worst-hit areas, as water entered homes in low-lying villages. Police, SDRF and district officials conducted rescue operations, with several residents shifted to safer shelters. Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Athar Amir Khan, visited vulnerable areas to review the situation and oversee evacuation efforts.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police said its personnel were on the ground in multiple locations in Kulgam, assisting stranded residents and providing relief in coordination with the civil administration.
The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) said heavy rains and flooding in South Kashmir and Budgam had caused power disruptions in several localities. “Our teams are on the ground working to restore supply safely and quickly. We request your patience and cooperation,” the utility said in a statement.
The heavy rains have already forced the closure of major highways, including the Srinagar–Jammu highway, Mughal Road, Sinthan Top and Srinagar–Sonamarg–Ganderbal road, due to landslides and shooting stones. The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall across JK, warning of flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging till Thursday.
The situation is being closely monitored, with flood alerts sounded after the Jhelum at Sangam touched 23.88 ft by noon, close to the danger mark of 25 ft, while several tributaries like Vishow, Lidder and Sindh Nallah flowed above or near warning levels.
The crisis has revived memories of the September 2014 floods, when the Jhelum breached its embankments, submerging vast parts of Srinagar and south Kashmir. Officials, however, said flood-preparedness had improved with embankment strengthening and new mitigation measures in recent years.
Authorities have urged people to stay indoors unless necessary, avoid riverbanks, and rely only on official advisories.
