Jammu: Widespread rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday brought much-needed relief from the recent heatwave conditions, even as a cloudburst in Reasi district damaged several houses and a portion of a 200-year-old heritage temple collapsed inside Jammu’s historic Mubarak Mandi complex during excavation work.
The cloudburst struck Bathoi village in Mahore subdivision of Reasi district during the evening, triggering flash floods that sent water, mud and debris rushing into residential areas.
Several houses suffered damage and household belongings were washed away, causing panic among residents. However, officials confirmed that no casualties were reported.
Local administration teams and emergency responders rushed to the affected area and launched relief and restoration operations. District officials said debris entered multiple houses and clearance work was immediately initiated.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said he had spoken to the Deputy Commissioner of Reasi to assess the situation and directed authorities to provide immediate relief and assistance to affected families.
The cloudburst in Reasi marks the fifth such incident reported in the Jammu region within the last three days. Earlier, four cloudbursts were reported from Doda, Kishtwar and Poonch districts, leading to flash floods and temporary road blockades without causing any loss of life.
Officials also reported a temporary suspension of traffic near the Jamlan bridge due to a sudden rise in water levels and heavy flow of debris following the cloudburst.
Meanwhile, rainfall was reported from several parts of Kashmir and Jammu divisions. The showers significantly lowered daytime temperatures, bringing pleasant weather conditions across the Valley and offering respite to residents and tourists after a prolonged spell of hot and dry weather.
According to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, widespread light to moderate rain and thunderstorms are expected across Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours. Fairly widespread rainfall and thunderstorm activity is likely to continue on Friday and Saturday before weather conditions gradually improve.
The weather department has issued warnings for isolated thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour across both Kashmir and Jammu divisions till June 6. Authorities have advised people to remain indoors during adverse weather conditions, avoid vulnerable areas and suspend boating and shikara operations during periods of strong winds and thunderstorms.
The department has also warned that brief but intense showers at isolated locations could trigger flash floods, mudslides and localized waterlogging, particularly in hilly and vulnerable regions.
Meteorological data showed that Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 29.2 degrees Celsius while Kathua remained the hottest place in Jammu division at 38.6 degrees Celsius. Light rainfall was recorded at several locations, including Gulmarg and parts of Jammu.
While weather-related incidents kept authorities on alert, concerns also emerged over the preservation of Jammu’s heritage structures after a portion of the rear wall of the historic Gada Dhar Ji Temple collapsed inside the Mubarak Mandi heritage complex.
The temple, believed to be over 200 years old and dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, was constructed during the reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh in the mid-19th century. The structure is managed by the Dharmarth Trust.
The collapse reportedly occurred during excavation work being carried out near the temple site as part of an ongoing project to construct a multi-level parking facility within the Mubarak Mandi complex. Local residents and heritage activists alleged that concerns regarding the sensitivity of excavation work near historic structures had been repeatedly raised but were ignored.
The incident has sparked fresh concerns about the safety of heritage buildings within the sprawling Mubarak Mandi restoration project. Residents of adjoining localities have demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the collapse and called for stricter safeguards to protect remaining heritage structures.
As restoration and relief operations continue in both Reasi and Jammu, authorities remain focused on monitoring weather conditions and assessing damage caused by the recent spell of rain and cloudburst activity across the Union Territory.
Meanwhile, trustees of the Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust, including M.K. Ajatshatru Singh and Ranvijay Singh, have strongly condemned the collapse of a portion of the 200-year-old Shree Gadhadhar Temple wall inside the Mubarak Mandi complex, allegedly due to excavation work for a multi-level parking project under the Smart City initiative.
Calling it a case of administrative negligence, the Trustees said the incident reflects a lack of sensitivity towards Jammu’s cultural and religious heritage. They stressed that the damage was avoidable and warned that development cannot be pursued at the cost of heritage conservation.
They said repeated concerns raised by locals over unsafe excavation practices were ignored, leading to damage of a historically and spiritually significant structure.
The Trustees have demanded a detailed assessment of ongoing works in the complex, fixation of accountability, and immediate suspension of activities that may endanger remaining heritage structures. They also urged all agencies involved to adopt strict safety measures and ensure no further damage to the Mubarak Mandi heritage site.
