Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Sep 1: Amid the forecast of inclement weather conditions for the next 30 hours, parts of Kashmir experienced heavy rainfall on Monday evening, while a minor boy was injured and several livestock perished in a cloudburst incident in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
The districts falling in central and northern Kashmir witnessed heavy rainfall this evening, inundating lanes and bi-lanes.
The heavy rainfall was observed amidst the forecast of inclement weather conditions until September 02.
While parts of Kashmir experienced rainfall, a cloudburst incident in Jumagund area of Kupwara district left a 15-year-old boy, identified as Shahid Ahmad Raina from Banwali Jumagund, injured.
The injured boy was stable and undergoing treatment in the hospital.
The incident also claimed the lives of several livestock, including a horse, exacerbating the suffering of the affected families.
Director Meteorological Department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said that a brief spell of light rain and intense showers towards late afternoon at a few places were expected today, while a fresh spell of heavy rain is anticipated over some districts of Jammu division towards late night or early morning tomorrow.
He added that for the next two days, it will be generally cloudy with one or two spells of light to moderate rain and thunder at many places, with the possibility of heavy to very heavy rain over Kathua, Jammu, Udhampur, and Reasi, and moderate to heavy rainfall over Doda, Samba, Rajouri, Poonch, Ramban, Kishtwar, Anantnag, and Kulgam, mainly towards late night of September 2 or early morning of September 3, lasting till late afternoon.
Ahmad further said that from September 04 to 07, a brief spell of rain and thunder is expected at a few places.
Meanwhile, the MeT has issued an advisory, stating there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rain in some districts, along with the potential for cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones at many vulnerable locations.
It said that rising water levels in rivers are expected, and people should stay away from water bodies, nallas, river embankments, and loose structures.
In a separate advisory, the MeT late evening said that a system is approaching Srinagar, with heavy or intense showers, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds expected over many parts of Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Budgam.
People were advised to stay away from electric poles, cables, old trees, and loose structures. The MeT recommended suspending shikara riding and boating in all water bodies, including Dal Lake.
Moreover, the district administration issued an advisory in light of the forecast of inclement weather, advising people to refrain from venturing into slopes and water bodies.
The advisory states that, due to heavy/intense showers and gusty winds forecasted over parts of Kashmir from August 31 to September 1, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Srinagar Station, residents of the district, especially those in Fakir Gujri, adjacent areas, and Khonmouh, should avoid slopes and water bodies until the weather improves.
Tourists and local shikara operators are advised to suspend activities at Dal and Nigeen lakes. Sand miners at the River Jhelum and other water bodies should verify conditions before crossing.
The general public can contact the District Emergency Operation Centre Srinagar, Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) Srinagar, and Police Control Room Srinagar for any information.
