After Uttarkashi, Monsoon Fury Strikes Kishtwar; Jammu on High Alert Following Deadly Flash Floods
Following catastrophic floods in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the Jammu region is now on high alert after heavy monsoon rains triggered a flash flood in Kishtwar, claiming over 40 lives, with authorities warning that the death toll may rise.
Situated in the higher reaches of the Himalayas, exact rainfall data for the affected village remains unknown. A senior meteorologist from IMD Srinagar explained, “It is difficult to confirm if this was a cloudburst, as the village is at a high altitude. There are only two Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in the area, one in Kishtwar town, far from the impacted village. Both recorded less than 3 mm of rain on Thursday.”
What is a cloudburst?
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a cloudburst occurs when roughly 100 mm of rain falls over a very small area within a very short period, usually around an hour. A similar disaster struck Uttarkashi on August 5, devastating Dharali village and triggering catastrophic flash floods. Rescue operations there were hampered by continued rainfall, and the death toll is still rising.
Jammu remained under a red alert throughout Thursday, with heavy rainfall reported across the region. Forecasters expect rain to continue for at least the next two days, with intermittent intense showers possible. Authorities have warned that such heavy rain can trigger flash floods and landslides, especially in the vulnerable Himalayan terrain. “Alerts have been issued for all districts in Jammu division, including Reasi, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, and Ramban,” the IMD said, urging residents to stay away from rivers and embankments.
Excessive Monsoon Across India
Most of India, except parts of the Northeast, has received normal to excess rainfall this season. As of August 14, the monsoon deficit remains zero nationwide. In northwest India, rainfall has been 15% above the long-period average (LPA), with several intense spells in recent weeks causing multiple disasters in Himalayan states.
The heavy Himalayan rains have worsened flooding downstream in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with several rivers overflowing. IMD attributes this to the monsoon trough being north of its usual position, which brings excess rainfall to the Himalayan foothills, compounded by a western disturbance affecting the region.
Experts also note a worrying trend: short, intense bursts of rainfall are becoming more frequent and severe, triggering flash floods and landslides. The Himalayan region’s vulnerability is compounded by rugged terrain, fragile geography, and increasing construction that has eroded critical forest cover.
