Rain havoc: Jammu records 2nd-highest single-day August rainfall in a century

JAMMU: Several parts of Jammu division witnessed flash flood-like situations due to continuous heavy rainfall, which even damaged a bridge on the Jammu-Pathankot NH. Jammu city recorded a precipitation of 190.4mm in a 24-hour period, marking its second-highest single-day rainfall in Aug in almost 100 years, officials said.

Jammu's highest single-day Aug rainfall was recorded on Aug 5, 1926, at 228.6mm.

Officials said overnight heavy rain wreaked havoc across Jammu division, including Kathua, Samba, Reasi and Udhampur districts. Authorities have put disaster response teams and local police on alert. All government and private schools have been ordered to remain shut Monday.

CM Omar Abdullah has directed all departments to remain on high alert, with control rooms actively monitoring the situation.

In Jammu, at least 45 students of Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine were evacuated by State Disaster Response Force and police after floodwaters submerged the hostel complex ground floor, officials said. The rain also triggered a landslide on the Kishtwar-Padder road. The Ujh river in Kathua and the Basantar nullan in Samba were flowing above their danger levels, prompting a flood alert.

Traffic authorities said the Jammu-Srinagar NH remained operational while the alternative Mughal Road was shut due to landslides at different places.

The IMD has issued an orange alert for Jammu division till Tuesday.