BRO Clears Landslips in J&K’s Rajouri; IMD Issues Weather Alerts

Quick Summary

• Heavy rainfall and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir on August 28-29, 2025, caused landslides, disrupting connectivity in Rajouri district.
• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has started road clearance operations in the affected areas of the Pir Panjal mountain range.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted further weather disturbances:

– Yellow Alert for thunderstorms and lightning on Friday for Poonch, Reasi, Rajouri, Kishtwar, and Udhampur districts.
– Orange Alert for heavier rainfall on Saturday and Sunday in Poonch, Kishtwar, Jammu, Ramban, and Udhampur districts.

• Government and private schools across the Jammu Division have been ordered to remain closed until August 30. Online classes are recommended for Classes 9 to 12 where infrastructure permits.
• Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reviewed the flood situation. He expressed concern over two days of continuous rainfall but noted that the region narrowly avoided a severe crisis.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The ongoing heavy rains highlight vulnerabilities in infrastructure resilience within Jammu and Kashmir. Initiatives by entities like BRO underscore proactive disaster management efforts but also reveal challenges posed by unpredictable climatic events. Closure of schools reflects prudent safety precautions while online education could serve as an chance to bridge gaps during emergencies-albeit constrained by unequal internet access across regions.

Weather warnings issued by IMD further reinforce preparedness but also emphasize coordination gaps that damage assessments may expose moving forward. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s review shows responsive governance; however,preemptive measures may need enhancement to avoid such near-crisis situations in future flooding scenarios.

Image Credit: PTI | Indian Army personnel repairing a damaged bridge over Tawi river at Bhagwati Nagar.

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