Between June and early September 2025, relentless monsoon rains and sudden cloudbursts triggered devastating floods across Jammu and Kashmir. As of now, at least 65 people were killed in Kishtwar district alone following a cloudburst in Chasoti village, with over 100 injured and 200 missing in that disaster. The disaster has displaced thousands, with over 3,500 residents evacuated from flood affected areas in Jammu. The primary causes behind this tragedy were intense cloudbursts and heavy rainfall during an exceptionally intense monsoon season, weather patterns that are growing stronger and more unpredictable, intensified by climate change.
CYDA On the Ground:
Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA) team visited the flood-affected areas of Lower Prem Nagar, Jogi Gate, Lower Gujjar Nagar, Peerkho, Rajeev Colony, and Rajinder Nagar in Jammu to assess the extent of the damage and develop a preliminary action plan. The team engaged directly with residents to understand their urgent needs and the challenges they are facing.
The team, after visiting five flood affected locations in Jammu and Kashmir, found that families are living in challenging conditions. River water had entered homes up to 7-10 feet high, carrying mud, stones, and garbage. Although the rain has stopped and water levels have gone down, thick layers of mud, nearly 3-4 feet deep, still remain inside many houses. Families who lived on the ground floor were rescued and moved to schools, temples, Gurudwaras, and Madrasas. Most now spend their nights in shelters and return during the day to clean their damaged homes.
The floods destroyed almost everything- furniture, utensils, food, school bags, books, documents, and household appliances. People have been left without clothes, footwear, mattresses, or food. Houses are badly damaged, and the sewage and sanitation system has completely collapsed. Toilets and bathrooms are broken and cannot be used. So people are left with no option but to defecate in the open. Drinking water is unsafe as treatment plants are contaminated and drainage systems are choked with mud. With the collapse of the sewage and sanitation system, there is a serious risk of health outbreaks and infections if immediate precautions are not taken.
Most affected families are daily wage labourers or have a small rented stall, living just above the poverty line. During the interaction, one ice cream vendor said to the CYDA team, ” Maine sab kho diya saheb..sab ….maine rent mai icecream stall liya tha….aab stall bhi beh gaya and malik bol raha hai stall ka paisa wapas karne …kuch smajh nahi ara hai( I have lost everything, sir… everything. I had rented an ice cream stall, but now it has been washed away in the flood. The owner is asking me to return the money, and I don’t know what to do).”With their stalls swept away and homes damaged, they have lost both their income and shelter, leaving them highly vulnerable and struggling to survive.
Priority Support Required for Jammu Flood Survivors:
- Repair and restoration of damaged houses: Many homes have weakened walls, broken roofs and clogged sanitation points, making them unsafe to live in. Repair and restoration work is needed so that families can return to secure housing conditions.
- Restoration of safe drinking water systems: Water pipelines and local supply networks have been contaminated by floodwaters, leaving residents dependent on relief distribution. Cleaning, chlorination and functional repair of these systems is necessary to reestablish reliable access to safe drinking water.
- Restoration of sanitation and sewage networks: Existing toilets and drains in several settlements are clogged or damaged, forcing people into unsafe practices and exposing them to disease risks. Community sanitation and sewage systems need immediate cleaning, repair and reactivation for safe use.
- Livelihood support: Many families, especially those who are daily wage earners, street vendors, tailors, and shopkeepers, have lost their income sources as tools, stock, or equipment were destroyed. Support is needed to restart small businesses, replace essential equipment, and create income opportunities, allowing households to rebuild their economic stability.
- Labour support and basic tools: Families are still struggling with houses filled with mud and debris. Simple equipment such as buckets, gumboots, gloves, and head torches is essential so that cleaning can continue effectively and living spaces can become usable again.
- Cleaning and disinfectant materials: Floodwater has left behind layers of silt and waste, creating highly unhygienic conditions inside homes and community spaces. Phenyl, bleaching powder, toilet cleaners, Dettol or Savlon, brooms, mops, scrubbing brushes, garbage bags, detergent and reusable masks are required for restoring minimum hygiene.
- Medical and hygiene kits: With water contamination and damaged sanitation systems, people are exposed to health risks such as infections, fever, diarrhoea and mosquito-borne diseases. Kits with ORS, paracetamol, antiseptics, antihistamines, sanitary pads, hand sanitizers, mosquito repellents and first-aid materials will help reduce health risks and maintain basic hygiene.
- Essential household items and emergency drinking water: Families have lost their basic belongings, including beds, blankets, cooking utensils and storage containers. Immediate support is required for foldable beds, mattresses, bed sheets, blankets, slippers, kitchen utensils, lanterns, and torches. At the same time, safe drinking water bottles and temporary tanker supply remain critical until water systems are fully restored.
Call to Action:
The people of Jammu and Kashmir have faced unimaginable hardship during the recent floods. Now, it is time for us to stand with them. CYDA, with years of experience in disaster management, seeks your support to help families rebuild their lives. At this stage, we are committed to assisting 200 families, restoring their homes, and helping them regain their livelihoods. Together, we can bring hope and dignity back to those affected.
How You Can Help
If you would like to support the ongoing relief efforts, please reach out to us:
Organization: Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA)
Contact Person: Mr Ameer Nadaf, 9632098429
Email: [email protected]
For more details visit www.cydaindia.org
