J&K: Poonch schools close following heavy rain; Amarnath Yatra suspended
What's the story
Intense rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir has forced the closure of all schools in Poonch district. The local administration announced that all government and private educational institutions will remain shut on July 30, 2025, due to bad weather conditions. The Meteorological Department (MeT) has also issued a Flash Flood Guidance for several areas in the region.
Weather alert
Rainfall expected in many places
The MeT Department has predicted generally cloudy weather with intermittent light to moderate rain at many places. Intense showers and gusty winds are also expected in some areas. Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at isolated to scattered places in the Jammu Division, especially in the Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua, Rajouri, and Samba districts.
Natural hazards
Flash floods, landslides warned
The Kashmir MeT Department has warned of flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones in vulnerable areas over the next 24 hours. This comes as water levels in rivers and streams are expected to rise, leading to possible waterlogging in low-lying areas of the Jammu Division. The weather department has advised caution due to these potential natural hazards.
Yatra
Amarnath yatra suspended
The Amarnath Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in Jammu and Kashmir, has also been briefly halted on Wednesday due to heavy rainfall in the area. The suspension applies to both the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps. This year's Shri Amarnathji Yatra has already seen over 3.93 lakh pilgrims pay obeisance at the Holy Cave Shrine.