Owais Gul
Srinagar, Jul 19: Several stations of Jammu division including Katra and Reasi received record-break rainfall in the last 30 hours as the rains lashed Jammu and Kashmir parts since last evening, bringing down the mercury in the Union Territory while the weatherman here has predicted more rainfall till July 23.
The roads as well as the streets got submerged at multiple places across Kashmir after the rains lashed Valley since the wee hours of this morning while in Kupwara district in northern district, a bridge got damaged due to flash flood like situation in this afternoon.
The record-breaking 24-hour rainfall was recorded in Katra where 315.4 mm precipitation was recorded today.
Director Meteorological department (MeT), Sonum Lotus said that the highest-ever 24-hour rainfall of 292.4 mm in Katra was recorded on July 31, 2019 while today’s precipitation has become the highest ever since 1980.
In Reasi also, the rainfall of 304.0 mm was recorded today followed by Udhampur where a precipitation of 296.4 mm was recorded, he said.
Jammu station has recorded a rainfall of 119.2 mm in the last 30 hours, Lotus said.
Meanwhile, an Independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng said that there is a possibility of more rainfall in Katra in coming days.
However, he said that this July Reasi and Katra could potentially experience its wettest July, surpassing all previous records. He added that the highest monthly rainfall total for Katra is 1144.0 mm, which was recorded in 1988.
Keng further said that no heavy rainfall was recorded anywhere in Kashmir today, but in northern districts, moderate rainfall was recorded at some places.
Flash floods were witnessed in Zirhama area of Kupwara during which some roads got partially damaged while a bridge was also damaged in the village.
As per Director MeT, the weather would remain generally cloudy tonight while there is a possibility of rain in late night, early morning at many places of Jammu and scattered places of Kashmir.
Lotus further said from July 20-22, the intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershower would possibly occur at many places of Jammu and at scattered places of Kashmir.
He said that the heavy rain would likely occur at some places of Jammu region during July 20-July 23.
Lotus in his advisory said that a risk of flash flood, mudslide and landslides has increased due to heavy rain and thus simultaneously the people are advised to remain cautious and stay away from streams, rivers and other vulnerable spots.
Meanwhile, the roads and streets got submerged at multiple places in Srinagar and elsewhere while the residents of Saifudin Pora, Rajaouri Kadal, in downtown Srinagar, said that ground floors of some residential houses got submerged under water.
The affected residents have appealed to the administration, particularly the municipal authorities, to visit the area and assess the extent of the damage to their homes.
The residents said that the early morning rains resulted in the submersion of the ground floors of several residential houses in downtown’s Saifudin Pora. Distressed families said that with every rainfall, their ground floors get flooded due to the lack of a proper drainage system in the area.
They further said that despite repeatedly requests the concerned authorities to address the issue and fix the drainage system, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
