Jammu: Heavy rains lashed on Wednesday across the Jammu region, with the highest recorded in the Katra town of Reasi district since 1980, while rivers are flowing over the danger mark, following which an alert has been sounded by the Jammu and Kashmir Meteorological Department with a forecast of very heavy rain this week.
“It is raining at most places in the Jammu region and Anantnag, Kulgam areas,” a MeT official said.
He added that Katra received an all time extremely heavy rain of 315.4mm in 24 hours, the heaviest since 1980.
Earlier, it was 292.4mm on July 31, 2019, he stated.
He further said that rain is likely to continue for the next 3 to 4 hours and decrease thereafter across the Union Territory, adding, “Intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers are predicted at many places in Jammu and at scattered places in Kashmir. Heavy to very heavy rain is possible at some places in the Jammu region during this week.”
However, due to heavy rains, the new track to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Cave Shrine has been closed in view of the inclement weather conditions, and chopper service to the shrine has also been suspended in Reasi district.
Yatra is going smoothly from the old track,” said SSP Reasi Amit Gupta.
The weatherman said that the risk of flash floods, mudslides, and landslides has also increased due to heavy rain, and people are advised to remain cautious and stay away from streams, rivers, and other vulnerable spots.
At least nine civilians trapped in flash floods in Kathua district have also been rescued by the joint team of SDRF and local police.
“Five males, three females, and one minor trapped in the River Ujh have been rescued at Bhai Chak near Shabbe Chak after the water level slightly decreased,” said an official, adding that four more people are trapped and efforts are on to rescue them.
The restoration work on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway is in full swing after being closed due to heavy rains.
“Road clearance works at Cafeteria Morh-Mehar on NH-44 while the T-2 clearance is completed. NH-44 is blocked as of now,” said an official.
“The traffic along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was stopped following a landslide and muck accumulation at Cafeteria Mod,” he added.
He said that efforts to clear the debris and restore traffic flow were immediately initiated.
Meanwhile, Tarnah Bridge on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway near Dayalachak suffered damages due to the overflowing of the Ujh River.
“The traffic on the highway was briefly suspended and was later diverted on Hiranagar Road to prevent long jams,” said an official.
He said that the pillar on which the gauge is marked got sunk due to continuous scouring and heavy floods in the river.
In Jammu, the water level in the River Tawi has crossed the alert level of 14 feet, and the people, especially those staying along the river banks, are advised to stay alert.
The Chief Education Officer, Ramban District has ordered the closure of all government and private schools functioning on Wednesday due to inclement weather conditions.
Besides, all HOIs shall ensure that students who have attended school on Wednesday reach their homes safely, he tweeted.
Moreover, heavy rains created havoc in Jammu city and triggered waterlogging of roads that caused trouble for commuters.
Rainwater gushed inside the houses in many low lying areas of Jammu city, including Bhagwati Nagar, Talab Tillo, Jewel Chowk, Rajinder Nagar, Qasim Nagar, Vinayak Bazar, Dogra Chowk, Green Belt, and many other locations.
The rain, however, has also brought respite from humid conditions.
