Jammu, Jul 30: The forecast of fresh spell of heavy rains and consequent high chances of cloudburst-induced flash floods, mud and landslides in upper catchment areas beginning Thursday has put the divisional administration on alert mode with the reiteration of safety advisories.
As per MeT advisory, from July 31 to August 3, though intermittent rain showers are expected across parts of Jammu and Kashmir, yet heavy rainfall is anticipated in parts of Jammu division.
The spell is likely to last till August 4. The weatherman has predicted that across the region, continuous rainfall is not expected.
It may not rain everywhere every day yet Rajouri, Poonch, Chenab valley sub region, Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur are likely to witness fresh spell of late night and early morning heavy showers.
While Jammu and adjoining areas on Thursday witnessed a streak of capricious weather with intermittent light and scattered showers interspersed with sunshine in between, during the day.
The evening saw heavy overcast sky. Heavy rains lashed Rajouri-Poonch leading to flash-floods in some parts, including Mendhar in Poonch.
R S Pura, Arnia and adjoining areas of Jammu district too witnessed brief spell of heavy showers on Thursday evening.
During the past 24 hours, Udhampur, Bhaderwah, Banihal, Batote, Kishtwar, and Doda also recorded light showers.
Forecasting intermittent rain showers between July 31 to August 2, 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.
In consonance with these forecasts, the district administration and the Police have reiterated the safety advisories, already in place, for citizens to stay away from the banks of water bodies.
The people dwelling in low-lying areas have been asked to stay alert. Meanwhile, the body of youth, who along with his two friends visited the Tawi riverfront area late Monday evening and went missing, was retrieved on Thursday.
Police were investigating into the case amid conflicting versions about the circumstances in which he had gone missing and finally his body was recovered after a hectic joint search operation by the Police, SDRF and NDRF personnel.
The search operation lasted three days. His body was sent to Government Medical College (GMC) hospital Jammu for post-mortem.
