• By Talibuddin Khan
  • Tue, 26 Aug 2025 06:24 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Doda Flashfloods: At least eight people have died in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday after incessant rains caused landslides and flash floods in almost all parts of the Jammu region. While five people were killed in Reasi after a landslide hit the Mata Vaishno Devi route, at least 3-4 people have died in rain-related incidents in Gandhor and Thathri towns of Doda district. Meanwhile, the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra has also been suspended due to the landslide, till further orders. 

All water bodies in the region are flowing above the danger mark, submerging a number of low-lying areas and roads in the city and elsewhere. Nearly 15 houses, three footbridges and a private healthcare centre have been damaged in Doda and neighbouring districts of Rajouri and Kishtwar. Authorities have issued advisories, asking people to stay away from water bodies and landslide-prone areas.

According to Doda Deputy Commissioner, Harvinder Singh, reports of a cloudburst have emerged from two places. Meanwhile, people have been shifted to safe locations, and the rescue of trapped or missing persons is underway.

ALSO READ: More Cloudbursts To Hit Jammu And Kashmir? Authorities Issue Advisory Amid Intense Rain Forecast

"The highest flood level of the Chenab River is 900 feet, and currently it has already reached 899.3 meters, so there is a difference of one and a quarter meters. The way it is raining, we are expecting that the HFL will be breached. We have limited the movement of people near the Chenab River and on the roads adjacent to the Chenab River," DC Havinder Singh said.

A portion of the Paddar road near Traith Nallah in the neighbouring Kishtwar district has been washed off due to the flash floods. The Ramnagar-Udhampur road in Udhampur and the Jangalwar-Thathri road in Doda have also been closed. Traffic movement along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway has also been suspended due to the shooting stones.

Vaishno Devi Yatra Suspended

A landslide hit the Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra route on Tuesday amid continuous heavy rainfall, leading to the suspension of the pilgrimage until further notice. At least five people have died while 14 others sustained injuries in the landslide, which occurred near the Inderprastha Bhojnalaya at Adhkwari. The disaster struck at a point about halfway along the winding 12-km trek to the hilltop shrine.

The yatra had been suspended on the Himkoti trek route since morning, but it had continued on the old route until 1:30 pm, when authorities decided to suspend it until further orders in view of the torrential rain.

Jammu And Kashmir Weather:

Jammu witnessed heavy rains for the third consecutive day on Tuesday. Almost all the rivers and streams are flowing above or close to the danger mark, submerging a number of low-lying areas and roads in the city and elsewhere.

Water levels in the Taranah River, Ujh River, Maggar Khad, Sahar Khad, Ravi River, and their tributaries in Kathua are simultaneously rising and nearing the danger mark. The Tawi River has crossed the 20-foot danger mark in Udhampur district, while downstream in Jammu, it is currently flowing below the alert level. Chenab is also flowing close to the warning level in Jammu. The Basanter River in Samba also crossed the danger mark of 4.5 feet this morning.

ALSO READ: J-K Weather Update: Heavy Rains Trigger Flood-Like Situation, Landslides; IMD Issues Orange Alert | Key Updates

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its weather forecast predicted moderate to heavy rainfall at many places in Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar districts with the possibility of cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides in high altitude areas till August 27.