Heavy rain wreaks havoc in Jammu: Homes flooded, Roads turn into streams, Landslides disrupt traffic
Northlines Correspondent
Jammu Tawi, October 11: Sunday morning brought misery to residents across Jammu as heavy rainfall disrupted normal life in several parts of the city. Roads were submerged, rainwater entered homes and shops, and landslides blocked key routes, leaving residents struggling to protect their families, belongings and livelihoods.
Two people, including a woman, lost their lives as Jammu received 185.6 mm of rainfall in three hours on Sunday, shattering its 71-year October record of 160 mm set in 1955 and disrupting normal life, officials said.
The record-breaking downpour, which began around 8.30 am, inundated roads and residential areas, damaged vehicles and triggered landslides at several locations. The relentless rain also sent the maximum temperature plunging to 23.3 degrees Celsius, nine degrees below normal, the officials said.
They said a 27-year-old woman went missing in Jammu’s Raipur Domana area after allegedly being swept away by flash floods while trying to save her husband, who was attempting to move their parked car.
The man managed to save himself by clinging to an object, but his wife remained missing despite intensive search efforts by locals, police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams, they said.
Officials said the body of another man, suspected to have drowned in a flooded stream, was recovered from the Domana area on Sunday evening. His identity and the exact cause of death are yet to be ascertained.
In several localities, residents faced the difficult task of removing water from their homes and moving household items to safer places. Shopkeepers also faced the risk of damage to goods and disruption of business.
Heavy rainfall also left roads across Jammu waterlogged, disrupting traffic movement and inundating houses and shops in several localities.
Panjtirthi, Nagrota, lower Roop Nagar, Janipur, Dogra Chowk, Durga Nagar, Shakti Nagar and Raipur Domana were among the worst-affected areas, the officials said.
Residents reported damage to cars and two-wheelers due to the downpour and subsequent waterlogging. Videos shared on social media showed torrents of rainwater rushing through narrow lanes, flooding roads and spilling into residential premises and commercial establishments.
Authorities deployed personnel and machinery and cleared the debris after several hours of efforts to restore traffic movement along the affected stretches, they said.
Commuters were advised to exercise caution while travelling through vulnerable stretches amid concerns over unstable slopes and slippery road conditions, the officials added.
The heavy rainfall once again highlighted the vulnerability of several neighbourhoods to waterlogging.
Residents of Durga Nagar, Shakti Nagar and Raipur Domana reported rainwater entering their houses and shops, raising concerns over damage to belongings, disruption to daily activities and the safety of people living in low-lying areas.
“The rainwater started flowing through the lanes with considerable force, and it became difficult to move around. Water entered residential areas, leaving people worried about their homes and belongings,” Vijay Kumar, a resident of Shakti Nagar, said.
Another resident, Sohan Singh of Domana, said waterlogging had made movement difficult and the situation deteriorated rapidly.
“Within a short time, the roads were filled with water. People were trying to protect their belongings while also ensuring that their families remained safe,” he said.
Families Struggle as Water Enters Homes
For families whose houses were flooded, the rainfall brought hours of anxiety and hardship. Residents had to deal with water entering their living spaces, protect essential belongings and ensure the safety of children and elderly family members. In areas where shops were affected, the damage threatened not only property but also daily earnings.
Bohri and Anand Nagar in Jammu West also witnessed flood-like conditions, according to reports. Residents were caught off guard by the sudden downpour, which caused significant inconvenience in areas where water accumulated rapidly.
Woman Swept Away in Raipur Domana; Search Underway
A distressing incident was reported from Raipur Domana, where a 27-year-old woman and her husband were crossing a road when they were swept away by a sudden, strong current of water. Local residents managed to rescue the husband, but the woman remained missing.
Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams reached the area and launched a search operation. The incident has added to the anxiety of the family, which awaits news of the missing woman. Further details about her whereabouts were awaited at the time of reporting.
Landslides Disrupt Key Roads
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides at several locations along the Panjtirthi–Sidhra and Sidhra–Nagrota routes. Debris accumulated on the roads, affecting vehicular movement and making travel difficult. Officials deployed personnel and machinery to clear the debris and restore traffic.
Residents Seek Relief and Better Drainage
Even after the rain, waterlogged roads, slippery surfaces and the risk of further landslides remained a concern. Authorities advised people to exercise caution while travelling through vulnerable areas.
The downpour once again highlighted how a few hours of intense rainfall can disrupt ordinary life, damage property and threaten livelihoods. Residents need timely assistance, effective drainage systems and better preparedness in vulnerable localities to reduce the impact of such incidents.