August 18, 2025

A sad, stormy saga unfolds in Jammu and Kashmir! The government has ordered all schools to close on August 18, 2025, as wild weather rages on. The closure affects the entire Jammu region amid warnings of heavy rain, cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. Why this panic? In the past four days, three terrifying cloudbursts hit the region! First, Chisoti village in Kishtwar district was slammed on August 14 by flash floods caused by a cloudburst, killing 61 people and injuring over 116. Even worse, 82 people remain missing—81 pilgrims and a lone CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel. Then came the Kathua district's turn on August 17, where two cloudbursts struck Jodh Ghati village of Rajbagh and Janglote. These incidents caused seven deaths and five injuries amidst heavy overnight rain. The big boss of education, the Director of School Education, put it simply: "In view of the inclement and bad weather conditions, all government and private schools in Jammu Division shall remain closed on August 18, 2025." Safety first! What’s the official weather warning? The Meteorological Department has sent a strong alert, forecasting heavy rains and thundershowers from August 17 to 19. They specifically warned about a "Risk of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides in vulnerable areas." Eleven districts are on red alert: Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri, Poonch, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, and parts of Kashmir. The scenes in Jammu show grief and remembrance too. Congress workers held a candlelight march on August 17, 2025, to pay tribute to the victims of these deadly disasters, lighting candles in memory of those who lost their lives and those injured. As nature’s fury pounds the region, authorities are acting fast to keep people safe. For now, schools remain closed, and everyone waits and watches the skies. Stay safe, Jammu and Kashmir!

Read More at Thehindu →

Tags: Kishtwar cloudburst, Kathua landslide, Jammu weather alert, School closure, Heavy rains, Flash floods,