Rains lash J&K parts, cloudburst triggers flash floods in Bandipora

Srinagar, Jul 28: Moderate to heavy rainfall lashed several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, while a cloudburst triggered flash floods in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
According to the MeT Centre Srinagar, moderate to heavy rain was reported from parts of Kupwara, Handwara, Sopore and Bandipora in North Kashmir, while Ganderbal, Kokernag and several areas in South Kashmir Anantnag District also witnessed heavy showers.
The Met Centre said that in Jammu region, rainfall lashed Rajouri, Reasi, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar District.
Meanwhile, a cloudburst struck the Nagmarg area in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district, triggering flash floods in downstream villages and causing panic among residents.
Locals said a massive surge of muddy water and debris rushed down from the upper reaches, inundating low-lying areas and threatening residential houses, agricultural land and local infrastructure. Water levels in streams rose sharply within a short span, forcing residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations.
Officials said the situation was being monitored and an assessment of the damage was underway. There were no immediate reports of any loss of life.
The MeT Department cautioned that intense showers over Handwara, Sopore, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Rajouri, Reasi, Doda and Kishtwar could trigger localized flash floods, mudslides and landslides. It also warned of shooting stones and rockfalls at vulnerable stretches in the hilly districts and advised people to stay away from nallahs, streams and landslide-prone areas.
The weather office said Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 31.5 degrees Celsius, which was 1.6 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 20.0 degrees Celsius, 1.2 degrees above normal.
Qazigund recorded a maximum of 30.5 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 18.6 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam registered 27.9 degrees Celsius and 16.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Kupwara recorded a maximum temperature of 31.6 degrees Celsius, Kukernag 30.5 degrees Celsius, Jammu 34.0 degrees Celsius, Banihal 29.6 degrees Celsius, Batote 26.6 degrees Celsius, Katra 29.5 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah 30.5 degrees Celsius.
Among the stations, Gulmarg received 7.4 mm rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, while Katra recorded 22.4 mm rainfall during the same period and 45.2 mm over the previous 24 hours ending at 8:30 am. Most other weather stations recorded no significant rainfall during the official observation period despite showers occurring later in the day.
For July 29, the MeT Department has forecast one or two spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places during the early morning and late afternoon or evening hours, with heavy rainfall and brief intense showers likely at a few districts of the Jammu division.
For July 30 and 31, the weather office said Kashmir division is likely to witness one or two spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at most places, with the possibility of brief intense heavy showers at a few locations, mainly during the morning and evening hours.
In the Jammu division, light to moderate rain is expected at most places, while a few districts may receive heavy to torrential rainfall and brief intense showers. The MeT Department said Udhampur and adjoining areas are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, with peak activity expected during the night of July 30.
The weather is expected to remain generally wet on August 1 and 2, with light to moderate rain at many places and brief intense showers at isolated locations. On August 3 and 4, many places are likely to receive light to moderate rain, while a few districts in the Jammu division may witness heavy rain, torrential showers and intense downpours.
The MeT Department warned that heavy rainfall between July 28 and August 1 could trigger flash floods, landslides and mudslides at vulnerable locations, particularly in the Jammu division, and advised the general public, tourists, travellers and transporters to follow advisories issued by the administration. (KNO)