Srinagar, Jul 20: The Meteorological Department (MeT) on Monday issued a red alert for parts of Jammu and Kashmir, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, mudslides and overflowing rivers till July 23.
The Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department also issued a flood advisory for south Kashmir following the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) forecast of intense rainfall over the Jhelum basin.
According to the IMD, Anantnag, Kulgam, and Shopian are likely to receive 50-100 mm of rainfall on Tuesday morning, followed by another spell of lighter rain on Wednesday morning.
Rainfall remained widespread across J&K on Monday.
In Kashmir, Sopore recorded the highest 24-hour rainfall at 55.4 mm, followed by Ganderbal with 46 mm, and Srinagar 45.6 mm.
Budgam received 15 mm, Handwara 14.6 mm, Qazigund 12.4 mm, Bandipora 10.5 mm, Kokernag 9.2 mm, Gulmarg 8.2 mm, Pahalgam 3.2 mm, Shopian 3 mm, Pulwama 2 mm, Anantnag 1 mm, and Kulgam 0.2 mm. While the plains of south Kashmir recorded light rainfall, the higher reaches witnessed significantly heavier showers.
In the Jammu division, Poonch recorded 66 mm of rainfall, followed by Rajouri with 54.8 mm, Katra 53.2 mm, Samba 45 mm, Jammu 42.7 mm, Reasi 23.1 mm, Kathua 18.2 mm, Batote 5.3 mm, Kishtwar 2 mm, Banihal 1.1 mm, and Doda 1 mm.
The I&FC Department advised people to stay away from rivers, streams, nallahs, and other flood-prone areas, avoid unnecessary travel through vulnerable locations and keep track of official weather and flood advisories.
“The expected rainfall may trigger flash floods and a rapid rise in water levels in channels, khuls, streams, nallahs and other watercourses, particularly in the higher reaches and hilly areas of South Kashmir. Water levels in the major tributaries and the River Jhelum are also expected to rise,” the advisory said.
Director MeT, Mukhtar Ahmad, said the Pir Panjal range and Chenab Valley were expected to receive the heaviest rainfall during the current spell, while Kashmir was likely to witness moderate to heavy rainfall, with south Kashmir expected to receive brief spells of torrential rain.
“Heavy rainfall and, at some places, very heavy rainfall is expected, especially in the Pir Panjal range and Chenab Valley,” Ahmad said.
He advised tourists, transporters, and residents to strictly follow official advisories and avoid vulnerable areas during the wet spell.
The MeT Department has also advised farmers to suspend irrigation and other agricultural operations for the next three to four days.
Despite the widespread rainfall, water levels in the Jhelum and its major tributaries in south Kashmir remained below the alarm and danger marks on Monday evening.
The widespread rainfall brought respite from the brief heatwave that had gripped Kashmir since Sunday, although humid conditions persisted.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 27.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Qazigund with 28 degrees Celsius, Kupwara 26.9 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 26.5 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 22.2 degrees Celsius, and Gulmarg 18.1 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu division, Jammu city recorded 29.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Banihal and Katra with 27 degrees Celsius each, Bhaderwah 26.5 degrees Celsius, and Batote 24.9 degrees Celsius.
