Jammu records heaviest October rain in 71 years, two feared dead in flash floods

Two people, including a 27-year-old woman, were feared dead after torrential rain lashed Jammu on Sunday, with the city recording 185.6 mm of rainfall in just three hours, breaking a 71-year-old October record and triggering flash floods, widespread waterlogging and landslides.

The downpour, which began around 8.30 am, surpassed the previous October rainfall record of 160 mm set in 1955. The unusually intense spell inundated roads and residential neighbourhoods, damaged vehicles and disrupted normal life across several parts of the city. The heavy rain also caused a sharp decline in temperature, with the maximum settling at 23.3 degrees Celsius, nine degrees below normal, officials said.

Woman swept away

A 27-year-old woman went missing in the Raipur Domana area after reportedly being swept away by flash floodwaters while attempting to save her husband, who was trying to move their parked car to safety.

Officials said the man managed to survive by clinging to an object as floodwaters surged through the area. His wife, however, was carried away by the strong current. Local residents, police personnel and teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched an intensive search operation, but the woman remained untraced.

In a separate incident, the body of a man suspected to have drowned in a flooded stream was recovered from the Domana area on Sunday evening. Officials said efforts were underway to establish his identity and ascertain the exact cause of death.

Roads and houses flooded

The downpour caused extensive waterlogging across Jammu, bringing traffic to a standstill in several areas and allowing rainwater to enter residential and commercial establishments. Panjtirthi, Nagrota, Roop Nagar, Janipur, Dogra Chowk, Durga Nagar, Shakti Nagar and Raipur Domana were among the worst-affected localities. Residents reported damage to cars and two-wheelers as floodwaters swept through streets and accumulated in parking areas.

Videos circulating on social media showed powerful streams of rainwater rushing through narrow lanes, submerging roads and entering houses and shops. The sudden rise in water levels left residents struggling to protect their belongings and move to safer locations.

"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," said Vijay Kumar, a resident of Shakti Nagar. Sohan Singh, a resident of Domana, said the situation deteriorated rapidly as the intensity of rainfall increased.

"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.

Landslides disrupt traffic

The heavy rainfall also triggered landslides along the Panjtirthi-Sidrah and Sidrah-Nagrota road stretches, obstructing vehicular movement and causing traffic congestion.

Officials said debris and loose soil had accumulated on the affected roads, forcing authorities to deploy personnel and machinery to clear the routes.

Traffic movement was restored after several hours of clearance operations, although commuters were advised to remain cautious while travelling through vulnerable stretches.

Authorities warned that unstable slopes, loose debris and slippery road conditions could pose additional risks following the intense rainfall.

Drainage concerns resurface

The record-breaking downpour once again exposed the vulnerability of several Jammu neighbourhoods to flash flooding and waterlogging during periods of intense rainfall.

Residents of Durga Nagar, Shakti Nagar and Raipur Domana reported water entering their homes and shops, damaging household belongings and disrupting daily activities. Low-lying neighbourhoods were particularly affected as drainage systems struggled to accommodate the sudden volume of rainwater.

Officials said emergency response teams remained engaged in assessing the damage, clearing affected roads and assisting residents in waterlogged areas. The authorities also urged people to avoid flooded roads, overflowing streams and landslide-prone stretches until conditions improved. Sunday's rainfall marked an exceptional weather event for Jammu, with the city receiving more rain in three hours than its previous highest recorded October spell in 71 years.