The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been struck by one of the deadliest natural calamities in recent years, with more than 130 lives lost and 33 people still missing following a series of cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods that began on 14 August. The disaster has left a trail of devastation across Kishtwar, Kathua, Reasi, and Ramban districts, forcing thousands of families to flee their homes, crippling infrastructure, and isolating several villages.
Massive Rescue Operations underway
In the wake of these calamities, the Indian Army, Air Force, NDRF, and local administration have launched coordinated rescue operations. Over 5,000 civilians and nearly 300 paramilitary personnel have been rescued from danger zones, many of whom were stranded on rooftops and hill slopes. Relief teams have used helicopters, boats, and high-tech surveillance drones to locate survivors in inaccessible areas.
The Indian Air Force has played a critical role by air-dropping more than 21 tonnes of relief material, including food packets, clean drinking water, tarpaulins, and essential medicines. Despite the challenging terrain and adverse weather, military engineers have restored temporary access roads to facilitate movement of rescue teams.
The continuous rainfall between 26 and 27 August unleashed widespread destruction in low-lying regions of Jammu. Roads were washed away, electricity poles uprooted, and entire bridges collapsed under the force of floodwaters. The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) has remained blocked for five consecutive days, leaving more than 2,000 vehicles stranded. This disruption has caused severe shortages of fuel, LPG cylinders, and medical supplies, forcing emergency services to prioritize critical needs.
Telecommunication and internet connectivity were severely impacted, but army signal units restored communication lines on 27 August by laying over 2 km of optical fibre cable in record time. One of the biggest concerns arose in Reasi district, where rising water levels in the Chenab river threatened to breach safety limits. To prevent a disaster, the Salal Dam authorities opened its gates, releasing excess water under controlled measures. Meanwhile, in an extraordinary engineering feat, army engineers constructed a Bailey bridge at Jammu Tawi on 29 August within 12 hours, reconnecting an essential transport route and bringing relief to stranded civilians.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s Visit and High-Level Review
On 31 August, Union Home Minister Amit Shah landed in Jammu to personally assess the ground situation. Accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Shah visited Vikram Chowk and the Tawi Bridge to inspect damages along the riverbanks. He also interacted with flood victims and assured them of comprehensive relief and rehabilitation measures.
Shah is expected to undertake an aerial survey of the most severely affected villages, including Manguchak, and later chair two high-level meetings at Raj Bhawan to review both flood relief and the impacts on border security in the region.
The floods have disrupted not just road transport but also rail connectivity. With 46 trains cancelled, thousands of passengers were stranded in Jammu. To alleviate the crisis, special trains have been arranged to ferry stranded individuals back to their destinations. Authorities are working on a priority basis to restore railway lines damaged by flooding and landslides.
Extreme Weather Warnings: IMD Issues Red Alert
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of extreme rainfall in the coming days due to the convergence of two weather systems over the Himalayan belt. Neighboring Uttarakhand has been placed under red alert, while Jammu and Kashmir remains on high alert for potential flash floods and landslides.
Rescue teams have been instructed to remain on standby, and the administration has urged residents in vulnerable zones to evacuate to safer locations.
Recognizing the scale of the disaster, the Ministry of Home Affairs has formed inter-ministerial teams to evaluate damage and streamline relief efforts. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the J&K State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), with support from ISRO, have begun satellite mapping of glacial lakes and fragile terrains. This mapping will help identify potential triggers of cloudbursts and guide long-term flood mitigation strategies.
These initiatives aim not just at immediate relief but also at building a stronger disaster-resilient framework for the Himalayan region, which has been repeatedly battered by extreme weather events in recent years.
Entire communities have been uprooted. Villages in Kishtwar and Ramban have reported the collapse of schools, health centers, and community halls. Farmers have lost standing crops, livestock, and irrigation channels, aggravating fears of food shortages. The psychological toll on families who lost loved ones and homes is immense, with hundreds taking shelter in makeshift camps and government-run relief centers. Local NGOs, religious organizations, and volunteers have stepped in to provide cooked meals, blankets, and moral support to survivors.
The immediate priority remains rescue and relief, but the challenge of rehabilitation and rebuilding is enormous. Experts suggest that rebuilding efforts will take months, if not years, given the magnitude of damage to roads, bridges, and power infrastructure. Authorities are working on plans to provide monetary compensation, permanent housing solutions, and livelihood support to affected families.
The central government has pledged financial aid, while international agencies are likely to offer technical support in flood management, climate resilience, and early warning systems. The floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir serve as a grim reminder of the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan states to climate-induced disasters. With over 130 people dead, thousands displaced, and critical infrastructure destroyed, the scale of devastation is unprecedented. However, the resilience of the people, combined with rapid government response and military support, underscores the nation’s collective ability to confront such tragedies.
The coming weeks will be crucial as authorities battle volatile weather while ensuring uninterrupted relief and preparing for long-term reconstruction.
