Abid Bashir
Jammu (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued a flood alert in parts of Jammu division as river Tawi is flowing above danger mark due to incessant rains since Tuesday.
People have been asked to stay at home and not to venture out near the streams and rivulets in Jammu division as heavy rains have lashed J&K since Tuesday morning.
Though the situation in Kashmir region is under control but heavy rains have wreaked havoc in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu leaving the Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the world blocked.
Officials said that massive landslides have blocked the highway at Digdol, Ramban, Panthal where hundreds of essential supply vehicles and scores of private vehicles are stranded.
Yesterday, a man was killed in Rajouri district and scores of cattle and other livestock perished due to landslides.
Today, officials said that a flood alert has been issued in various parts of Rajouri and Poonch district and in Jammu region as river Tawi is flowing close to the danger mark.
“Keeping the situation in view, rescue teams are on standby mode in Jammu. In Rajouri and Poonch districts, major rescue operation is on and scores of people have been evacuated to safer places so far since yesterday,” they said.
People residing along with the river areas and in higher reaches in Rajouri district have been advised to stay alert following heavy rains in the region, said, Liaqat Choudhary, Additional Superintendent of Police, Rajouri.
“We have made an announcement in the region along the river…especially in the areas near Tawi River like Thana Mandi, Rajouri district, Nowshera and Manja Kot. “If rains lash a specific region, we will accordingly inform other regions to stay alert as the river flow may increase,” said Choudhary.
Following heavy rains, an alert was issued by the police and people have been advised not to move close to any water body.
A press statement from Rajouri police read, “In view of heavy rainfall in the last 12 hours, most of the water bodies are heavily flooded. Keeping in view all this, an alert is issued and people are advised not to move close to any water body. Besides, in case of any emergency, people can contact the officers and helpline numbers of police across Rajouri district.”
As per a weather advisory issued by the Meteorological Department in J&K, “widespread moderate rainfall” is likely across the UT for 72 hours beginning Tuesday night.
“Widespread light to moderate rainfall is expected in Kashmir division on August 26, 27,” the advisory said.
“Scattered light to moderate rain is also expected in Ladakh during this period. The wet spell is likely to reduce the rainfall deficit witnessed in J&K and Ladakh this year.”
In Kashmir, divisional administration has asked people not to venture close to the water bodies and main river Jehlum. Srinagar district has already witnessed waterlogging in low lying areas due to incessant rains. Officials said that the main river Jehlum and other tributaries were flowing much below the danger mark and there was no need to panic.
The MeT office has predicted improvement in weather from Friday morning onwards. It is pertinent to mention that Kashmir region witnessed dry summer this year and MeT officials have stated that the ensuing rain spell will fill the rain deficit gap.
-ARK
