J&K Fresh Weather Update, J&K on alert
J&K Fresh Weather Update, J&K on alert
Rain returned to parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday after nearly three days of clear weather, with evening showers sweeping several districts as the Meteorological Department forecast another wet spell through August 4 and warned of flash floods, landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, and rockfalls in vulnerable areas.
Light to moderate rain was recorded in Kupwara, Bandipora, and Baramulla districts of north Kashmir, and Ganderbal while scattered showers accompanied by gusty winds lashed parts of south Kashmir. Intense showers were also reported from Rajouri, Reasi, Ramban, Doda, and Kishtwar in the Jammu region. By evening, clouds had spread across much of J&K, ending the brief spell of sunshine.
A cloudburst struck Nagmarg in Bandipora district during the evening, triggering flash floods in several downstream villages and causing panic among residents. A surge of muddy water and debris swept through low-lying areas, threatening residential houses, agricultural land and local infrastructure. Residents said water levels rose rapidly, forcing families living along streams to move to safer places. Officials said the situation was being monitored and the extent of damage was being assessed.
Strong winds accompanying the downpour uprooted trees and branches, disrupting traffic and power supply in parts of the district. The Meteorological Centre has forecast unsettled weather across J&K through August 4, with intermittent spells of rain and thundershowers expected at many places. While Kashmir is likely to receive generally light to moderate rainfall, parts of the Jammu Division could witness torrential showers, particularly between July 30 and 31. “There is no forecast of any major widespread weather activity, and the rainfall will largely remain localised,” Director Meteorological Centre Srinagar Mukhtar Ahmad said.
He said Udhampur and adjoining areas were likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with the peak activity expected during the night of July 30.
The MeT advised the public, tourists, travellers, and transporters to avoid streams, nallahs, and landslide-prone areas and follow advisories issued by the administration. The latest forecast has revived concerns after last week’s prolonged wet spell triggered flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones across several districts.
The worst-hit districts were Rajouri and Poonch, where flash floods and landslides left 28 people dead, damaged houses, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, and washed away standing crops. In Kashmir, rising water levels in the Jhelum River and several streams had prompted flood alerts, while flash floods and landslides damaged roads, bridges, irrigation infrastructure, and agricultural land in several districts.
Although water levels receded after the weather improved, officials said another spell of intense rain could again disrupt normal life in vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, humid conditions prevailed across Kashmir despite maximum temperatures hovering around or above 30 degrees Celsius. Srinagar recorded a maximum of 31.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Kupwara at 31.6 degrees Celsius, Qazigund and Kokernag at 30.5 degrees Celsius each, Pahalgam at 27.9 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg at 21.7 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, Jammu recorded a maximum of 34 degrees Celsius, followed by Bhaderwah at 30.5 degrees Celsius, Banihal at 29.6 degrees Celsius, Katra at 29.5 degrees Celsius, and Batote at 26.6 degrees Celsius.
HEAVY RAINS LASH JAMMU, SAFETY ADVISORIES IN PLACE
YOUTH GOES MISSING NEAR TAWI RIVERFRONT
Jammu on Tuesday witnessed a streak of capricious weather as heavy rains lashed the city and adjoining areas for a few hours during morning and briefly again in the evening while noon was marked by bright sunshine.
Though water level in Tawi and Chenab remained normal, well below the alarming level yet safety advisories asking people to stay away from the banks of water bodies continued to be in place. Waterlogging in low lying areas, however, pestered the inhabitants. The met department in its weather forecast has predicted no major weather activity on July 29. Yet as per the forecast, early morning monsoon showers are possible in parts of the Jammu region, while thundershowers may develop over a few places across J&K during the late afternoon and evening.
On July 30 also, scattered rain showers, with the highest chances over the Jammu region, are anticipated. The met department has cautioned that although prolonged rainfall is not expected, there remains a very high risk of flash floods due to intense localised downpours and isolated cloudburst events cannot be ruled out, with the possibility of landslides and shooting stones in vulnerable hilly areas. Meanwhile a youth, who along with his two friends visited the Tawi riverfront area late Monday evening, went missing.
Police said that the youth identified as Ravi, 27, a resident of Jammu, had gone to attend nature’s call, as per his friends’ version, yet did not return. Following it, his friends informed the Police, which along with SDRF personnel launched a search operation yet the youth remained untraced.
Investigation was underway, Police said.