Schools closed in three Districts, landslips hit highways as monsoon rains continue in J&K

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J&K has been witnessing an increased direct impact of the monsoon weather conditions of the mainland. File.

J&K has been witnessing an increased direct impact of the monsoon weather conditions of the mainland. File. | Photo Credit: IMRAN NISSAR

Inclement weather forced closure of all educational institutes in three Districts of J&K on Tuesday (July 22, 2025), with torrential rains triggering flash floods and landslips in the Pir Panjal valley. Two civilians, one student and a pilgrim, were killed in the past 24 hours due to landslips.

All schools were closed in Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi where torrential rains were recorded in the past 24 hours. Officials said continuous downpour had Dharhali and Saktoh rivers in spate and posed threat to flood several low-lying areas. 

“In view of adverse weather conditions, all government and private schools in Rajouri district will remain closed today,” a communique from the District Magistrate, Rajouri, reads. 

In Samba, the District Administration, in a public advisory, asked people “to avoid landslide-prone roads and to strictly stay away from overflowing nallahs and rivulets”. The school authorities asked those schools that function from unsafe buildings to suspend classes. 

The Administration took fresh measures on Tuesday after a five-year-old student was killed in a landslip in Bainch Kalsan, Poonch, and a pilgrim died in Vaishno Devi when a landslip hit the old tracks in Reasi’s Katra. Both the incidents took place on Monday(July 21)

The ongoing wet weather in J&K triggered flash floods in the streams and rivers of Poonch, Mendhar and Rajouri. Officials warned of fresh landslips in Poonch where the Poonch-Jammu highway was closed on Monday (July 21) night.

In the Kashmir valley, the Meteorological Department issued alerts for north, central, and south Kashmir. “Widespread rain is also expected in Banihal, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar, raising the possibility of flash floods and landslides or mudslides in vulnerable locations,” the MeT said. 

The MeT advisory urged suspension of shikara boat rides and boating on Tuesday (July 22) afternoon because of “intense rain or gusty winds, particularly on water bodies like Dal Lake and Wular Lake”.

The J&K Administration has asked disaster response teams to be on alert. J&K has been witnessing wet weather in the past 24 hours. “Intermittent spells of light to moderate rain and gusty winds at many places with intense showers to very heavy rain will continue till July 24,” the MeT forecast suggested. J&K has been witnessing an increased direct impact of the monsoon weather conditions of the mainland.

Published - July 22, 2025 04:29 pm IST

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