J&K Shatters Rainfall Records: Udhampur Logs 629 mm, Jammu 296 mm Amid Deadly Floods
Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with one of its most severe monsoon spells in decades, as Udhampur and Jammu districts shattered all-time 24-hour rainfall records, triggering catastrophic landslides, flash floods, and widespread destruction. The relentless downpour has claimed at least 34 lives, with fears of a rising toll as rescue operations continue amid battered infrastructure and communication blackouts.
According to the India Meteorological Department, Udhampur recorded a staggering 629.4 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8:30 am on Wednesday, nearly double its previous record of 342 mm set in July 2019. Jammu followed closely with 296 mm, surpassing its earlier high of 272.6 mm from August 1973. The extreme weather has unleashed chaos, with a massive landslide near Ardhkumari on the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra track killing 31 pilgrims and injuring 23 on Wednesday morning. This followed another deadly slide on Tuesday that claimed nine lives and left 21 injured, forcing the complete suspension of the pilgrimage route.
The Union Territory’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, confirmed that over 500 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas, with joint teams from the Army, NDRF, SDRF, police, and local volunteers working tirelessly. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the communication crisis on social media, stating, “Still struggling with almost nonexistent communication… Haven’t felt this disconnected since the terrible days of 2014 & 2019.” A flood alert has been issued along the Jhelum River in South Kashmir, where water levels have crossed the danger mark.
The deluge has crippled critical infrastructure, with bridges collapsing, power lines down, and mobile towers damaged, leaving large swathes without electricity or connectivity. Weather experts have noted severe convection in areas like Jammu, Samba, and Udhampur, with risks of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail persisting. As relief efforts ramp up, authorities are prioritizing evacuations and providing essentials like food and medical aid to those in temporary shelters.
