Heavy downpour throws life out of gear in J&K

Srinagar, Aug 1: The incessant rains received in parts of Kashmir and Kishtwar of Chenab Valley on Thursday brought relief to the people after a prolonged heatwave across J&K.

On Thursday, most parts of J&K received rainfall while heavy downpour was received in the Kishtwar and Pulwama areas triggering flash floods.

Flash floods occurred in the Dachan area of Kishtwar district and Khrew area of Pulwama district in south Kashmir following a heavy downpour in these areas.

However, waterlogging was also witnessed in various parts of Srinagar city, giving commuters and passersby a tough time.

According to the Meteorological Department (MeT), parts of J&K received moderate rainfall since Wednesday night.

Katra recorded the highest precipitation of nearly 79 mm followed by Jammu with nearly 50 mm rainfall.

The heavy rainfall was recorded up to 8:30 am following which the weather conditions improved across the Jammu division.

“Heavy rainfall was recorded in Srinagar and Gulmarg stations in Kashmir. Srinagar recorded a precipitation of 25 mm from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and Gulmarg received 18.6 mm rainfall during the period,” the MeT officials said.

They said Pahalgam recorded 2.6 mm of rainfall and Kupwara 1.6mm of rainfall on Thursday morning.

The MeT officials said that Kashmir witnessed a deficit of 60.67 percent rainfall while a 34.83 percent deficit hads been recorded in the Jammu division from June 1 to August 1.

As per the data, Rajouri, Udhampur, and Samba recorded normal precipitation during the last two months.

For the next five days, the weatherman here forecasts "generally cloudy" weather with spells of intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places in Kashmir and most places in the Jammu division.

Also, a spell of rain and thundershowers are expected at scattered places on August 6 and 7.

Meanwhile, the MeT in its advisory said that intense showers for a brief period were expected with the possibility of flash floods, cloud bursts, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones over vulnerable areas of J&K and heavy rainfall at a few areas of Jammu division.