Rain Forecast for J&K: MeT Warns of Flash Floods, Landslides
Intermittent rain to continue on Sunday; weather likely to turn hot from July 13
Cloudburst triggers flash flood in Shangus, Pahalgam; MeT advises caution near streams
Widespread rain and thundershowers hit several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday evening, while the Meteorological Centre Srinagar warned of the possibility of flash floods, mudslides and landslides in vulnerable areas.
According to details rain and thundershowers affected many places across the Kashmir Valley and parts of Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Doda, Reasi and Udhampur districts.
Meanwhile, officials said two cloudbursts struck south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday evening, triggering flash floods in Shangus and Pahalgam.
The first cloudburst hit the upper reaches of Chatergul in Shangus, causing the Aaripath stream to swell. Floodwaters carrying mud and debris entered paddy fields, orchards and parts of nearby residential areas, damaging standing crops, officials said.
Indian Army Recruitment 2026- Apply Online
About an hour later, another cloudburst struck the Overa Wildlife Sanctuary in the Pahalgam area, leading to a sudden surge in the Overa Nallah. The overflowing stream entered several huts and hotels, creating panic in the area. Officials said tourists staying in a hotel near the stream were safe.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Pahalgam, said the administration acted immediately after receiving information about the incident. The Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE), Flood Control, along with a technical team, was deputed to the site to monitor the situation and assess the impact of the flash flood, while the Naib Tehsildar, Sallar, was tasked with assessing the affected area and coordinating the response.
As a precautionary measure, authorities shut down all 11 KV feeders from the Receiving Station Batkoot, affecting electricity supply to Awoora, Dahwatoo, Laddi and Batkoot villages to facilitate emergency operations.
Officials said all concerned departments had been put on alert, while rescue and monitoring teams were deployed to assess the situation. There were no reports of any casualty, and damage assessment was underway at both locations.
According to independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif, a sudden spell of intense rainfall, possibly due to a localized cloudburst, struck the forest area of Awoora and Dehwathu in Pahalgam on Saturday evening, triggering flash floods in a stream that flows through the area before joining the Lidder Nallah at Batkoot.
Arif said floodwaters inundated at least half a dozen hotels, prompting the rescue and relocation of tourists to safer accommodations. Wall collapses and other structural damage were also reported, while several houses were affected after floodwaters entered residential premises.
He said the area witnessed intense rainfall between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., with the flash flood occurring between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. According to him, water levels in the Sheshnag Nallah and the Lidder Nallah rose significantly following the rainfall but remained below their respective alarm levels.
The administration appealed to residents, particularly those living near streams and flood-prone areas, to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary movement near the affected Nala and follow official advisories.
Meanwhile, an official of the Meteorological Centre said brief but intense showers accompanied by thunderstorms were reported from isolated locations, particularly in parts of north, central and south Kashmir.
The weather office said intense showers over parts of Kupwara, Baramulla and Budgam districts, as well as Ramban, Reasi, Doda, Batote and Udhampur, could trigger localized flash floods, mudslides and landslides in vulnerable areas. It advised people to stay away from nallahs, streams and landslide-prone areas.
The MeT Centre said intermittent spells of rain and thundershowers are expected to continue on Sunday at many places across Jammu and Kashmir, with isolated heavy rain and brief intense showers likely over parts of the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal range of Jammu division.
From July 13 to 17, the weather is expected to remain generally hot and humid, although scattered places may witness brief spells of rain and thundershowers, with isolated intense showers mainly over the Jammu division.
Fresh spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at many places across the Union Territory between July 18 and 20, the weather office said.
SKUAST Jammu Recruitment 2026
The MeT Centre also cautioned that heavy rainfall and brief intense showers during July 12 and 13, particularly during the afternoon, evening and early morning hours, may lead to flash floods, mudslides and landslides at vulnerable locations in the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal range.
It reiterated its advisory asking people to avoid venturing near streams, nallahs and landslide-prone areas.
Weather Alert Issued For Kishtwar
In view of the latest weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the District Administration Kishtwar has issued a weather advisory warning of light to moderate rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across the district till July 14, 2026, urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid vulnerable areas.
According to the advisory, light to moderate rainfall is expected to affect the higher reaches and mountainous areas of the district during the forecast period. The administration has advised people, especially those residing near rivers, streams, nullahs and landslide-prone locations, to stay away from water bodies, avoid unnecessary movement and strictly follow safety precautions until weather conditions improve.
The Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar has directed all line departments, including Revenue, Public Works Department (R&B), Mechanical Engineering, PMGSY, JPDCL, Jal Shakti, Health and Medical Education, Irrigation and Flood Control, NHIDCL and Border Roads Organisation (BRO), to remain on high alert. Officials and field staff have been instructed to stay prepared for immediate response and ensure prompt restoration of essential services in case of any weather-related emergency.
The administration has also directed all Tehsildars to immediately report any incident involving loss of life, damage to property, road blockages or any other weather-related occurrence to the Deputy Commissioner’s office for timely relief and rescue operations.
To ensure swift response during emergencies, the District Control Room at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office has been activated and will remain operational round-the-clock. The public can contact the District Control Room at 9484217492 / 01995-259555, Police Control Room at 9906154100, or dial 112 under the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) for immediate assistance.
The District Administration has appealed to the public to remain alert, cooperate with authorities, follow official weather advisories and avoid travelling to flood-prone, riverbank and landslide-vulnerable areas until the weather situation normalises.