Jammu Kashmir Records Sixth-Highest August Rainfall in Over a Century

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir witnessed one of its wettest Augusts in more than a century, registering the sixth-highest rainfall since 1901. The region received 319.3 mm of rainfall against the normal 184.9 mm, marking a surplus of 73 per cent.

The highest August rainfall on record remains 1996, with 481.3 mm, followed by 1908 (345.8 mm), 2013 (343 mm), 1994 (336.5 mm), and 1955 (331 mm). This year’s figures place August 2025 among the most rain-soaked months in recorded history.

The Jammu region bore the brunt of the heavy downpour. Doda led with a staggering 290 per cent surplus, recording 488.2 mm against the normal 125.1 mm. Udhampur followed with 897.9 mm against 346.9 mm, a 159 per cent excess. Ramban reported a 133 per cent surplus at 286.2 mm, and Samba received 720.5 mm, 126 per cent above the normal. Other districts too witnessed sharp rises—Reasi with 64 per cent, Jammu 53 per cent, Kathua 45 per cent, Rajouri 42 per cent, Kishtwar 21 per cent, and Poonch 17 per cent.

In the Kashmir Valley, rainfall distribution was uneven. Anantnag reported a 35 per cent surplus, Pulwama 18 per cent, Kulgam 13 per cent, and Srinagar 15 per cent. However, several northern districts recorded deficits: Kupwara (-23 per cent), Bandipora (-20 per cent), Ganderbal (-17 per cent), Budgam (-1 per cent), and Baramulla (-2 per cent). Shopian recorded a sharp 69 per cent deficit, though weather experts indicated the figure could be erroneous.

Neighbouring Ladakh also experienced extraordinary rains, unprecedented for the high-altitude desert. Kargil received 32.6 mm against the normal 2 mm, a 1,530 per cent increase, while Leh logged 54.7 mm compared to the normal 5.6 mm, an 877 per cent surplus. Overall, Ladakh received 49.5 mm of rainfall against the normal 4.8 mm, an astonishing 930 per cent departure from the average. (With KINS inputs)