Heavy rainfall triggered severe waterlogging and extensive damage along the Srinagar-Bandipora road in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district on Thursday, disrupting traffic movement and affecting normal life in the area.
According to officials, the worst-hit stretch was reported near Darul Uloom Rahimiya, where continuous rainfall led to flooding, road damage and mud accumulation. Several vehicles faced difficulties moving through the inundated road as water levels rose rapidly following hours of intense rain.
The heavy downpour also caused rainwater and mud to enter nearby residential houses, damaging household belongings and creating panic among local residents. Visuals from the area showed waterlogged homes, submerged roads and debris spread across several locations along the route.
Residents said the sudden flooding caught many families off guard, forcing them to move belongings to safer places. Local authorities have begun assessing the extent of the damage while restoration and relief measures are being planned. Officials, however, said a detailed estimate of the losses is still awaited.
The rainfall was part of a broader weather disturbance affecting several districts across Kashmir, including Srinagar, Ganderbal, Baramulla and Kupwara. In some higher-altitude regions such as Tulail Valley, Drass and Zojila, fresh snowfall was also reported despite the month of May, highlighting the sudden change in weather conditions across Jammu and Kashmir.
Traffic movement on National Highway-44 also remained slow due to bad weather conditions, road narrowing in some stretches and breakdowns of heavy vehicles, officials said. Authorities have advised commuters to remain cautious and follow weather advisories before travelling through vulnerable areas.
The India Meteorological Department has earlier predicted thunderstorms, gusty winds and moderate to heavy rainfall across parts of Jammu and Kashmir over the next few days. Officials are closely monitoring the situation as more rainfall could increase the risk of landslides and flooding in low-lying areas.
