<p>The flooding of the Tawi River has significant impacts on the Jammu City Region. Once a vital water resource for the area, the Tawi River now poses a serious threat to people, settlements, agricultural land and infrastructure. This study investigated flood hazard and vulnerability through an integrated multi-criteria evaluation using the analytic hierarchy process. Over past few decades, the river’s course has been altered and encroached upon, impacting the river flow dynamics. The peak discharge during the monsoon season has heightened the risk of flooding as demonstrated by the flood occurrences in September 1988, September 2014, and August 2025. Our findings indicate that nearly one-third of the Jammu City region is susceptible to flooding with over 9 per cent area in moderate to very high hazard zones. The areas Sidhra, Gujjar Nagar, Gorkha Nagar, Beli-Charana, Bhagwati Nagar, and the low-lying island areas of the floodplain exhibits high vulnerability to flooding; this high risk is attributed to rapid urban expansion, encroachments within the floodplain, inadequate drainage systems and unplanned urban development. Given the recent catastrophic flood event of 2025 and the ongoing floodplain alterations for the Tawi Riverfront and the artificial lake projects, identifying flood-prone zones is essential. The study recommends the formulation of a river-centric development approach to mitigate risks and bolster resilience against flood impacts.</p>