Srinagar, August 31, 2025 – The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has issued a critical nowcast warning for several districts in Jammu and Kashmir, predicting moderate to intense rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds in the coming hours. This update, released on Sunday evening, highlights potential risks of flash floods and landslides, urging residents to exercise extreme caution.According to the latest advisory from the MeT Centre, many places in Kupwara, Handwara, Sopore, parts of Baramulla, and the hilly areas of Bandipora and Ganderbal are expected to experience moderate to intense rain/thundershowers with thunder, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 kmph during the next 1–2 hours.
The forecast extends to other regions, including north Kashmir areas such as Uri, Gurez, Tulail, Kangan, and Sonamarg, as well as parts of central and south Kashmir. In the Jammu division, spells of rain are likely in areas like Reasi and Samba.The weather system is part of a broader pattern of generally cloudy skies with intermittent rain and thundershowers across Jammu and Kashmir, exacerbating ongoing concerns from recent heavy downpours that have already triggered flash floods, landslides, and mudslides in vulnerable areas. Officials have emphasized the possibility of flash floods and landslides at a few places, particularly in hilly and low-lying regions. Residents are strongly advised to stay away from nallas (streams), rivers, embankments, and loose structures to avoid life-threatening situations.
This nowcast comes amid a challenging monsoon season in the region, where northwest India has recorded 265 mm of rainfall in August – the highest for the month since 2001. The incessant rains have led to school closures across the Jammu division until September 1, 2025, due to safety concerns from waterlogging, landslides, and damaged infrastructure. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has directed authorities to monitor the situation round-the-clock and ensure timely evacuations from risk-prone zones.The MeT Centre has also warned of potential disruptions to daily life, including traffic on key highways like the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, which has faced repeated closures due to landslides in recent days.
Restoration efforts are underway, but fresh rains could further delay normal operations.Authorities are urging the public to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel near water bodies, and stay updated via official channels. Emergency services are on high alert, and all concerned departments have been advised to prepare for possible cloudbursts, shooting stones, and mudslides in vulnerable locations.For the latest updates, residents are encouraged to follow advisories from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and local disaster management authorities. The overall weather is expected to remain cloudy with spells of rain in the coming days, though intensity may vary.
