IMD Issues Heavy Rain Warning for Jammu Kashmir, Chenab Crosses Flood Alert Mark

SRINAGAR: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday night issued a fresh warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir, cautioning of flash floods, cloudbursts, landslides and waterlogging in vulnerable areas over the next 14 to 16 hours.

According to the advisory issued by IMD Srinagar at 8:50 pm, heavy to very heavy rains are expected in Jammu, Kathua, Reasi, Doda, Udhampur, Rajouri and Ramban. Moderate to heavy showers with brief intense spells are also likely in parts of the Pir Panjal range and south Kashmir, with heavy rainfall forecast in Kishtwar, Poonch, Anantnag, Shopian and Kulgam.

Authorities have been put on alert as the Chenab River at Akhnoor crossed the flood alert mark late Tuesday night. The water level, recorded at 34 feet at 11 pm, has risen above the alert level of 32 feet, with the danger level fixed at 35 feet.

The latest data on Jhelum water levels shows that the river continues to flow below the warning mark across all key monitoring points. At Sangam, the water level stood at 8.39 feet at 11:00 p.m., Pampore recorded 1584.424 metres at 11:02 p.m., while Ram Munshi Bagh was at 10.68 feet at 11:07 p.m. The gauge at Asham registered 7.24 feet at the same time, and at Wular the level was 1576.550 metres. All stations remain categorised as ‘below warning level,’ though levels are showing an upward trend at most locations.

The department has advised residents, particularly those in low-lying and hilly areas, to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel. Vulnerable stretches of highways and feeder roads are expected to remain at risk of disruption due to possible landslides and overflowing streams.

The weather warning, valid until 4 pm on September 3, comes amid a week of relentless rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir that has already caused landslides, blocked roads, and triggered flooding in several areas.