Rains That Stilled the Mountains

By Chasfeeda Shah

The last week of August 2025 has left Jammu and Kashmir battered by relentless rain, triggering a cascade of landslides that transformed daily life, paralyzed crucial infrastructure, and created unprecedented challenges for authorities and residents alike. The once bustling roads now stand silent under the weight of water and debris, schools sit empty as classes remain suspended, and the sacred pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi has become a journey fraught with danger and uncertainty. Jammu city bore the brunt of nature’s fury, recording a staggering 190.4 mm of rain in just 24 hours—a level not seen since August 1926. Entire neighborhoods were left waterlogged, with floodwaters damaging infrastructure in Janipur, Roop Nagar, Talab Tillo, Jewel Chowk, New Plot, and Sanjay Nagar. The city’s roads, normally packed with pilgrims and local commuters, turned perilous, forcing authorities to shut key routes and divert traffic as a precaution. Schools across several districts were closed, prioritizing safety as fears of further rainfall and cascading landslides grew.

The mountainous terrain, already fragile, suffered heavily from slides that blocked arterial roads and cut off communities. In Kishtwar, a massive landslide buried the Kishtwar–Padder road, while the Gurez–Bandipora stretch was crippled after more than a dozen landslides triggered in a single night. The Border Roads Organisation, disaster response teams, and local police worked around the clock to clear debris and rescue stranded passengers. The destruction went beyond blocked movement, as boundary walls collapsed, homes cracked, and roads near temples and bus stands caved in, leaving residents fearful of further collapses. Pilgrims making their way to Vaishno Devi were among the worst affected. Udhampur, Katra, and Samba saw some of the heaviest rainfall—144.2 mm, 115 mm, and 109 mm respectively—leaving many stuck on unsafe routes. The journey of faith became one of waiting and anxiety, with local administrations scrambling to set up shelters, mobilize response teams, and keep open lines of communication with state agencies to prioritize drainage, power restoration, and water supply.

As the skies continued to pour, authorities issued an orange alert across the region, warning of further downpours, cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. Deputy Commissioners urged residents to avoid rivers, unstable slopes, and flood-prone areas, while emergency kits and safer relocation sites were advised. A dramatic rescue unfolded at the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine hostel, where floodwaters rose over seven feet. In a five-hour operation involving boats, pumps, and coordinated effort from the SDRF and J&K Police, 45 students were successfully evacuated. Elsewhere, BRO and local police labored to secure fragile bridges, but a key structure near Logate Morh in Kathua was washed away, disrupting pilgrimages and supply chains.

Meteorologists attributed the severity of the events to climate change. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, noted that record-breaking precipitation had become increasingly common, with August 24–26 expected to bring more heavy rainfall across Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, and Rajouri. Moderate showers were already lashing Poonch, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, and parts of South Kashmir. Flash floods, mudslides, and cloudbursts added to the uncertainty, and residents were urged to remain vigilant and follow advisories closely.

Amid the official warnings, life on the ground told its own story. Families displaced by rising waters took refuge with relatives or in government shelters, farmers lamented the loss of crops to sudden inundation, and students—though relieved at closures—longed for a return to routine. Pilgrims stranded on their way to the shrine spoke of patience and prayer, while local volunteers joined officials in distributing food, medicine, and extending help to those trapped in danger. The washed-out bridge in Kathua exposed the larger crisis of crumbling infrastructure, with drains, culverts, and roads—many built decades ago—buckling under the strain of extreme weather. Vehicles were swept away in flash floods, boundary walls toppled, and homes near overflowing drains faced devastating damage, intensifying both financial and emotional stress.

As the orange alert continues, Kashmiris remain resilient but weary. Forecasts predict ongoing showers through the end of August, with a shift to humid conditions afterward. Authorities have called for close coordination in hard-hit districts such as Jammu, Ramban, and Kishtwar, where vigilance is critical. The August 2025 rains and landslides are more than a natural disaster—they are a test of the region’s ability to withstand the growing impact of climate change. For residents, whether pilgrim, student, farmer, or commuter, the storm has been a reminder of both fragility and strength. Even as infrastructure falters and communities struggle, the spirit of resilience endures, as Kashmir waits for the clouds to lift and life to return to its rhythm.