Srinagar, July 21: Jammu and Kashmir continued to witness severe weather conditions on Tuesday, with meteorologists warning that Poonch and Rajouri districts are likely to remain the most vulnerable over the next 48 hours as a fresh Western Disturbance is expected to bring another spell of rain.
According to weather experts, both border districts have recorded more than 50 millimetres of rainfall on each of the past three days, leaving the soil saturated and increasing the risk of flash floods, landslides, mudslides, slope failures and damage to infrastructure.
Experts said the rain soaked ground has lost much of its ability to absorb additional rainfall. As a result, even moderate showers could lead to rapid surface runoff and trigger fresh landslides, particularly in the mountainous Pir Panjal region
The incoming Western Disturbance is expected to intensify rainfall over Poonch and Rajouri. Due to their location along the Pir Panjal range, these districts are often the first in Jammu and Kashmir to experience heavy precipitation associated with such weather systems before they move further across the Union Territory.
Meanwhile, the flood situation worsened in Kathua district after intense rainfall. Ujh Nallah at Panjtirthi in Billawar crossed the official alert level of 16.5 feet and was flowing at nearly 19 feet by noon, just one foot below the danger mark. Officials are keeping a close watch as water levels continue to rise.
Floodwaters also washed over the Old Samba to Kathua Road at Sahar Khad near Sherpur, disrupting traffic once again. Sahar Khad and Magar Khad were flowing above normal levels, while several other seasonal streams across Kathua witnessed a sharp increase in discharge following continuous rainfall.
Kathua received nearly 93.5 millimetres of rainfall within three and a half hours, resulting in widespread waterlogging, overflowing streams and damage at several locations.
In north Kashmir, heavy rainfall caused several streams in the Tangmarg area of Baramulla district to overflow, inundating nearby localities. Water entered several houses and damaged agricultural as well as horticultural land, causing concern among local residents.
In Budgam district, Nallah Sukhnag overflowed after heavy rain in its upper catchment area, submerging the Beerwah Diversion and forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement. Officials said the diversion, which frequently remains submerged during periods of high discharge, continues to remain under water.
Authorities have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel, especially through flood prone and landslide vulnerable areas. People living near rivers, streams and hill slopes have been urged to remain alert and report any emergency to the concerned authorities without delay.
Disaster management teams, police, civil administration and road restoration agencies remain on alert as more rainfall is forecast over the next two days, raising the possibility of fresh landslides, flash floods and disruptions to road connectivity in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
