The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a moderate flash flood risk warning for several districts in Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat over the next 24 hours, even as heavy rainfall triggered another flash flood in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, damaging houses, shops and vehicles.
According to the IMD's latest National Flash Flood Guidance Bulletin, moderate flash flood risk is likely in parts of Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat Region till 5:30 am on July 9. The weather office warned that surface runoff and inundation could occur in fully saturated soils and low-lying areas due to the forecast of heavy rainfall.
The warning comes after Thathri town in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district was struck by a flash flood on Tuesday following intense rainfall in the upper reaches. The incident partially damaged several residential and commercial structures, while mud, boulders and debris buried vehicles and blocked the Doda-Kishtwar highway. No casualties were reported.
What is a flash flood?
A flash flood is a sudden surge of water that develops within minutes or a few hours after intense rainfall, a cloudburst, a dam breach, or the rapid release of water upstream. It is one of the fastest-developing natural disasters and can occur with little or no warning.
Unlike river floods, which usually build up over several days, flash floods rise rapidly and can sweep through streams, valleys, roads, and settlements at high speed. The fast-moving water often carries mud, rocks, trees, and other debris, increasing the risk of damage to infrastructure and property.
Mountainous and hilly areas are especially prone to flash floods because steep slopes cause rainwater to flow downhill quickly instead of soaking into the ground.
IMD forecasts up to 200 mm rainfall
The IMD said rainfall of up to 120 mm was recorded in the last six hours and up to 172 mm in the last 24 hours over some watersheds. It also noted that several watersheds across parts of the country, including Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya, have nearly saturated soils, increasing the possibility of flash floods if heavy rain continues.
The weather agency added that global and mesoscale weather models are forecasting very heavy rainfall of up to 200 mm during the next 24 hours.
Districts under moderate flash flood risk
According to the IMD bulletin, the following areas face a moderate flash flood risk over the next 24 hours:
Gujarat Region
- Dahod
- Chhota Udepur
- Panchmahal
- Vadodara
- Surat
- Tapi
- Narmada
- Bharuch
- Dangs
- Navsari
- Valsad
- Dadra & Nagar Haveli
- Daman
- North Goa
- South Goa
- Mumbai City
- Mumbai Suburban
- Palghar
- Raigad
- Ratnagiri
- Sindhudurg
- Thane
- Dhule
- Jalgaon
- Nandurbar
- Kolhapur
- Ahilyanagar
- Pune
- Satara
- Nashik
The IMD said flooding of low-lying areas and surface runoff are possible in these districts because of expected heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.
Doda witnesses third flash flood in two days
Meanwhile, heavy rain triggered another flash flood in the upper reaches of Thathri in Doda district on Tuesday, marking the third such incident in the Doda-Kishtwar region in the past two days.
Officials said boulders, mud and debris flowed into the town, partially damaging houses and shops. Several vehicles parked along roads were buried under debris, while locals claimed some vehicles were washed into the Chenab river. The exact extent of the damage is yet to be assessed.
The flash flood also blocked the Doda-Kishtwar highway, prompting the district administration, police and other agencies to launch restoration and clearance operations.
Administration rules out cloudburst
Doda Deputy Commissioner Krishan Lal said the administration responded immediately to rain-related incidents and restored traffic on affected roads.
He clarified that the incidents were caused by heavy rainfall and not cloudbursts, urging residents not to panic or circulate unverified information.
"It is incorrect to describe such incidents as cloudbursts. These are episodes of heavy rainfall, which often cause mud and small stones to come down from hill slopes in hilly districts. The administration remains fully alert and responds immediately wherever such situations arise," he said.
The district administration has also appealed to residents to verify weather-related information through the District Control Room or official channels before sharing it.
