Jammu Monsoon Crisis 2025: Landslides Kill Two, NH-44 Blocked, Red Alert Issued Across J&K
By: Javid Amin | Jammu | 23 July 2025
Nature’s Wrath Unleashed in J&K
The Jammu region is once again in the grip of an escalating monsoon emergency, with torrential rains causing fatal landslides, flash floods, and massive infrastructure disruptions across several districts.
From Reasi to Rajouri, Ramban to Udhampur, the landscape has turned into a battleground of survival—roads washed away, rivers swollen, and families trapped in vulnerable zones.
“The situation is being monitored 24×7. All departments are on high alert.”
— Official, J&K Disaster Management Authority
Tragedy in Reasi: Two Youths Buried Alive in Landslide
Two young laborers lost their lives when a massive landslide buried their temporary shelter near a Shiv temple in Badora, Mahore tehsil of Reasi.
Victims Identified:
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Rashpal Singh (26) from Reasi
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Ravi Kumar (23) from Udhampur
They were preparing a religious track for an upcoming pilgrimage event when loosened earth and debris from a nearby slope crashed down late at night.
Despite local efforts to rescue them, both were found dead under the rubble by morning.
💬 “It happened in seconds. We heard a loud crash and ran out. Their tent was gone.” — Local witness
Rajouri Rescue: 9-Year-Old Boy Airlifted in Daring Operation
In a dramatic rescue mission that has captured hearts across the country, a nine-year-old boy trapped in a flooded river near Nowshera in Rajouri was airlifted to safety.
Agencies Involved:
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Indian Army
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State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
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Jammu & Kashmir Police
The boy had slipped into the surging waters while playing near the banks, and clung to a rock for over 2 hours before rescue teams pulled off the heroic operation using a helicopter and rope harness.
The video of the operation has gone viral, praised for the seamless coordination and bravery displayed by the responders.
Infrastructure Paralysis: Highways and Roads Severed
The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), the lifeline of the region, was blocked for over 4 hours due to landslides near Magarkote and Seri, leaving thousands of travelers stranded.
Many of the stranded included Amarnath Yatra pilgrims, who had to wait for relief vehicles and shelter during heavy downpours.
Other Roads Affected:
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Kishtwar–Sinthan Road: Closed due to flash floods and boulder fall
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Poonch–Mendhar Road: Washed out at multiple points
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Link roads in Udhampur, Ramban, and Doda have been rendered impassable
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Small bridges and culverts swept away in border areas of Rajouri
“Restoration work is ongoing. Safety of commuters remains our top priority.” — BRO Spokesperson
Red Alert from IMD: High-Risk Weather Warning in Place
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for multiple districts in Jammu & Kashmir, citing continued heavy rainfall and flash flood threats.
Affected Districts:
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Reasi
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Ramban
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Rajouri
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Poonch
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Udhampur
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Jammu
IMD Predictions:
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Very heavy rainfall exceeding 115 mm in 24 hours
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Landslides & mudslides across hill slopes
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Flash floods in low-lying areas and nullahs
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Shooting stones on mountain highways
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River levels rising dangerously in Chenab and Tawi basins
Citizens are advised to:
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Avoid unnecessary travel
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Stay away from rivers and steep valleys
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Move to higher ground if living near hills or water bodies
Government Response: Emergency Measures Activated
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep sorrow over the deaths in Reasi and assured all support to the bereaved families.
“My condolences to the families. Every life is precious. We stand with you during this difficult time.” — Lt Governor Manoj Sinha
Official Measures Taken:
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Control rooms activated across all 10 affected districts
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BRO, SDRF, NDRF, and Army deployed for road clearance and evacuation
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Medical teams and ambulances stationed at vulnerable points
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Food, tents, and dry rations being distributed in affected areas
The Divisional Commissioner Jammu has also directed local authorities to monitor landslide zones hourly.
Visuals from Ground Zero: Community Voices Emerge
From mobile videos of NH-44 landslides to images of destroyed tents, the internet is flooded with testimonies of chaos and courage.
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Locals in Doda shared images of entire hill sections sliding onto roads
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In Udhampur, market stalls were seen submerged after cloudburst-like rain
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Students in Poonch posted videos of their rooftops flying off during wind gusts
Hashtags trending on X (formerly Twitter):
#JammuFloods2025 #ReasiLandslide #NH44Blocked #RajouriRescue #JammuRedAlert
Long-Term Lessons: Need for Infrastructure Resilience
This isn’t the first monsoon disaster to strike Jammu & Kashmir. Experts warn that climate change, coupled with weak infrastructure, is turning seasonal rains into annual humanitarian crises.
Experts Recommend:
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Early warning systems in rural areas
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Landslide mapping and risk zoning near pilgrimage sites
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Resilient construction of roads, bridges, and drainage systems
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Year-round training for local disaster response teams
“Flash floods are no longer rare events. With Himalayan glacial changes and erratic rainfall, we must now plan for the unexpected.” — Geologist, Kashmir University
Bottom-Line: Monsoon Fury Exposes Fragile Systems
The current spell of rains in Jammu & Kashmir has once again exposed the fragility of critical infrastructure, the urgency of disaster preparedness, and the heroism of ground responders.
As families mourn, roads remain blocked, and red alerts continue, one thing is clear: the region must invest in long-term climate resilience, or face growing devastation with every passing monsoon.
