Jammu, September 3, 2025 : A massive multi-agency operation is underway in Jammu to prevent large-scale flooding in low-lying areas near the damaged fourth bridge on the River Tawi, as water levels continue to rise following incessant rains.
Risk of Breach Near 4th Bridge
The August 26 downpour had damaged a stretch of road near the fourth Tawi bridge, leaving vehicles stranded and exposing the adjoining embankments to floodwaters. Officials fear that any further breach at the site could inundate residential and commercial zones located just a few metres away.
“If this area is breached, there will be a huge problem. Civil administration, police, and army are engaged in an operation to prevent it here. The engineering wing is working on it,” said Superintendent of Police Ajay Sharma. He added that women, children, and the elderly in vulnerable colonies had been advised to shift to safer places.
Army, Engineers on Ground
Army personnel, along with engineering teams, have laid large waterproof covers across the damaged portion to curb seepage from the swollen river. The stretch has also been cordoned off with barbed wire to prevent civilian movement.
Officials said the nearest residential colony is barely 49–50 metres from the breach site, making the locality highly vulnerable. The area has a population of around 7,000 and houses Nehru Warehouse, one of Jammu’s biggest business hubs.
Sleepless Nights for Residents
For residents, the rising waters of the Tawi have triggered fear and anxiety. “We did not sleep the whole night as the river water kept rising. Several of our young men stayed on the road watching the effect of the floodwaters on the breach,” said Sardar Praduman Singh, a local whose house is just 70 metres away.
He said families had already sent elderly members, women, and children to relatives’ homes as a precautionary measure.
Wider Impact Across Jammu
The flooding threat has come amid widespread disruption in Jammu. The city has been cut off from three key routes: the Panjitirthi–Sidhra road due to landslides, the Manda–Nagrota road due to mudslides, and the Akhnoor bridge over the Chenab, which has been closed.
Two houses collapsed in old Jammu city earlier this week, but all three persons trapped inside were rescued safely.
The fourth Tawi bridge itself has been closed again due to rising floodwaters. To restore connectivity, Army engineers had on Monday completed a 12-hour operation to install a 110-foot Bailey bridge at the site. The bridge had suffered similar damage during the 2024 floods before being repaired.
Situation Under Close Watch
Authorities said the situation is being closely monitored at the highest level. While there is no immediate danger as the embankment is being reinforced, police have urged people in low-lying areas to remain alert.
“If a breach takes place, there is a possibility of intense flooding here. People must remain cautious and shift to safer places if required,” SP Sharma said.
