Sahar Bridge Collapse on Jammu-Pathankot Highway After Heavy Downpour in Kathua
On August 24, 2025, a vital bridge over the Sahar Khad river near Logate Morh on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway in Kathua district, Jammu and Kashmir, collapsed due to relentless monsoon rains, disrupting a key arterial route and highlighting the vulnerability of infrastructure to extreme weather. The heavy downpour, which triggered flash floods and landslides across the region, caused significant damage to the bridge, halting traffic and prompting authorities to divert vehicles to an alternate route. This blog delves into the details of the incident, its impact, and the broader implications for infrastructure resilience in the face of intensifying climate challenges.
The Collapse: A Consequence of Torrential Rains
The Sahar Khad bridge, a critical link on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway, was severely damaged when the Sahar Khad river, typically a calm waterbody, turned into a raging torrent due to continuous heavy rainfall. According to officials, the bridge near Logate Morh in Kathua district was compromised when the overflowing Sahar Khad stream eroded its structure, causing a portion to collapse. The incident occurred amidst a record-breaking downpour, with Jammu recording 190.4 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 AM on August 24—the second-highest August rainfall in a century, surpassed only by 228.6 mm on August 5, 1926.
The heavy rains, part of an intense monsoon spell battering Jammu and Kashmir since July 20, 2025, swelled major rivers like the Ujh, Ravi, Chenab, Tawi, and Basantar, prompting authorities to issue flood alerts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for all districts, warning of moderate to intense rainfall, potential cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides until August 27. The collapse of the Sahar Khad bridge was a stark manifestation of these warnings, as the strong current swept through the structure, rendering it unsafe for traffic.
Immediate Impact: Traffic Disruptions and Safety Measures
The collapse disrupted traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway, a vital route connecting Jammu to Punjab and beyond. Authorities swiftly closed both bridges over the Sahar Khad as a precautionary measure, with the second bridge showing signs of structural weakness. Traffic was diverted to an alternate bridge to maintain connectivity, but the closure caused delays and logistical challenges for commuters and freight transport. The Kathua district administration issued alerts to nearby villages, urging residents to avoid the river and use alternative routes.
Deputy Commissioner of Kathua, Rajesh Sharma, who inspected the site, confirmed that one bridge suffered major damage, while the second was at risk, necessitating immediate action. The administration deployed disaster response teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police, to monitor the situation and ensure public safety. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah directed all departments to remain on high alert, with control rooms activated to coordinate relief efforts and restore essential services like water and power.
Broader Impact: Floods and Infrastructure Damage
The heavy rainfall caused widespread disruption across Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in Kathua, Udhampur, Samba, and Jammu districts. Jammu city faced severe waterlogging, with floodwaters inundating homes in low-lying areas like Janipur, Roop Nagar, Talab Tilloo, Jewel Chowk, New Plot, and Sanjay Nagar. Nearly a dozen vehicles were swept away in flash floods, boundary walls collapsed, and roads were submerged, disrupting normal life. A culvert at the Jammu bus stand and a portion of a road near Tawi bridge also caved in, exacerbating the crisis.
Other districts reported significant rainfall, with Udhampur recording 144.2 mm, Katra (base camp for Vaishno Devi pilgrims) at 115 mm, Samba at 109 mm, and Kathua at 90.2 mm. Landslides blocked roads in Rajouri, Poonch, and Gurez, while the Mughal and Sinthan roads were closed. Despite the chaos, the Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Leh highways remained operational, providing critical connectivity. No immediate casualties were reported from the bridge collapse, but the region was already reeling from earlier rain-related incidents, including a cloudburst in Kathua’s Jodh Ghati village on August 17, which killed seven and injured 11.
A Pattern of Vulnerability: Recent Disasters in Kathua
The Sahar Khad bridge collapse is not an isolated incident. Just a week earlier, on August 17, 2025, a cloudburst in Kathua’s Jodh Ghati village triggered massive landslides and flooding, submerging homes and damaging infrastructure, including the Jammu-Pathankot highway. The Indian Army deployed helicopters and relief columns to evacuate 15 injured people to hospitals in Pathankot, Punjab. Additionally, a separate incident in Reasi saw a truck driver killed by a landslide, and a man in Kathua was swept away in flash floods near Dreamland Park, bringing the regional death toll to at least two on August 24.
These recurring disasters highlight the region’s susceptibility to extreme weather, exacerbated by climate change. The IMD’s warnings of continued heavy rainfall and potential cloudbursts underscore the urgency of addressing infrastructure vulnerabilities in flood-prone areas like Kathua.
Infrastructure and Climate Challenges
The collapse of the Sahar Khad bridge raises critical questions about the resilience of India’s infrastructure in the face of intensifying monsoons. Social media posts on X expressed alarm, with users sharing videos of the damaged bridge and urging caution. One post by ANI on August 24 captured the severity, showing the bridge’s compromised structure as the Sahar Khad raged below. The incident echoes earlier events, such as a 2023 bridge collapse in Kathua, where five people died when two houses collapsed amid heavy rains, and traffic on the same highway was suspended due to cracks in another bridge.
Experts point to several factors contributing to such incidents:
- Extreme Weather: Climate change has intensified monsoon patterns, leading to heavier, more erratic rainfall that overwhelms rivers and infrastructure.
- Aging Infrastructure: Many bridges, especially in rural areas, lack regular maintenance or upgrades to withstand modern weather extremes.
- Geological Risks: Kathua’s proximity to rivers and hilly terrain makes it prone to landslides and flash floods, requiring robust engineering solutions.
The government’s response, including Chief Minister Abdullah’s directives and the deployment of SDRF and Army teams, demonstrates urgency, but preventive measures—like real-time monitoring systems and flood-resistant bridge designs—are critical to avoid future collapses.
Lessons and the Path Forward
The Sahar Khad bridge collapse underscores the need for proactive infrastructure planning in Jammu and Kashmir, a region increasingly battered by climate-driven disasters. The government must prioritize:
- Resilient Design: Upgrade bridges and roads to withstand flash floods and landslides, using materials and designs suited for extreme conditions.
- Early Warning Systems: Implement real-time monitoring of rivers and weather patterns to issue timely alerts and evacuate at-risk areas.
- Regular Maintenance: Conduct routine inspections of critical infrastructure, especially during monsoon seasons, to identify and address vulnerabilities.
- Community Preparedness: Educate residents in flood-prone areas about safety measures and alternative routes during emergencies.
The Indian Army’s swift response in Kathua, as seen in the August 17 cloudburst, highlights the importance of coordinated disaster management. However, long-term solutions require investment in climate-resilient infrastructure and stricter safety standards.
Conclusion
The collapse of the Sahar Khad bridge on the Jammu-Pathankot National Highway in Kathua on August 24, 2025, is a stark reminder of the destructive power of extreme weather and the fragility of aging infrastructure. The heavy downpour, part of a historic monsoon spell, not only damaged a vital transport link but also disrupted lives across Jammu and Kashmir, with flooded homes, blocked roads, and heightened risks of further disasters. As authorities work to restore connectivity and ensure safety, the incident calls for urgent action to strengthen infrastructure and prepare for a future of intensifying climate challenges. By learning from this tragedy and investing in resilience, Jammu and Kashmir can better protect its people and critical assets from the growing threat of floods and landslides.
