Jammu Breaks Rainfall Record with Massive 380mm Shower

Jammu and Kashmir is battling severe weather chaos after Jammu recorded 380 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours the heaviest downpour ever since records began in 1974. The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar confirmed this is the highest single-day rainfall in the region, surpassing past records of 270.4 mm (1988) and 218.4 mm (1996).

MeT centre director Mukhtar Ahmad said, “The 380 mm is record rainfall in Jammu in 24 hours since we started recording in Jammu in 1974."

The week-long spell of relentless rain has unleashed flash floods, cloudbursts, swelling rivers, and massive landslides, leaving bridges, roads, and other infrastructure heavily damaged. The tragedy turned grimmer with 32 deaths reported near the Vaishno Devi shrine due to a landslide and four more in Doda from flash floods.

Independent weather tracker Faizan Arif noted that this single day’s rainfall nearly equals Jammu’s entire monthly average of 403.1 mm for August, making the scale of the deluge unprecedented.

“The last record was 270.4 mm recorded on September 25, 1988. This has also broken the record of 218.4mm recorded on August 23, 1996. For comparison, this figure is close to 403.1mm, which is Jammu’s monthly average for August,” Faizan Arif said.

Forecast Brings Some Relief

The meteorological department has predicted some relief ahead. “Generally cloudy with intermittent light to moderate rain at many places of Jammu division and South and Central Kashmir during the day with cloudy gaps in between generally on Wednesday. August 28-29 may witness a brief spell of rain/thunder at a few places,” the MeT quoted.

Jhelum River Flood Declared

Meanwhile, Ladakh experienced its first major August snowfall, while the Kashmir Valley was lashed by heavy rains. Authorities declared a flood in the Jhelum River after water levels crossed the danger mark at Sangam in South Kashmir, triggering memories of the devastating 2014 floods that claimed 277 lives.

Schools Shut, Exams Postponed

To ensure safety, the administration shut schools in five districts Anantnag, Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Srinagar while Kashmir University postponed all examinations.

Relief and Evacuations Underway

On the ground, rescue efforts are in full swing. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha confirmed that over 5,000 people were evacuated from submerged low-lying areas of Jammu. He added that the Army, NDRF, and SDRF are working jointly to provide relief, restore power, communication, and water supply, and ensure essential aid reaches those affected.

“Spoke to divisional commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar and other senior officials and took stock of flood situation and rescue and relief operations. Directed the officials for restoration of power, communication, water supply on priority in areas where flood water is receding,” he wrote on X.

“More than 5000 people were evacuated from low-lying flooded areas to safety. Army, NDRF and SDRF are working in coordination with the divisional commissioner’s office and we are ensuring that there is adequate supply of relief material and all possible assistance is being given to those affected,” he added.

The MeT department has forecast improving conditions over the next few days, with only intermittent showers expected. But for now, Jammu and Kashmir remains on edge, grappling with the impact of its worst single-day rainfall in recorded history.