Heavy rains lashed parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, triggering flash floods and landslides in several districts, PTI reported.
Several vehicles were stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway after it was closed for the second day due to over 30 landslides and mudslides in the Ramban-Udhampur sector.
“Around 2,000 passengers were stranded,” Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mussarat Islam said, according to ANI. “District administration started clearing the road and 20 sites were reopened, passengers were shifted to safer locations.”
Five persons were rescued by the State Disaster Response Force after they were trapped in flash floods in the Reasi district, according to PTI.
Low-lying areas in Srinagar were flooded after the incessant rains and rising water levels in River Jhelum, ANI reported. The river crossed the danger mark at Sangam in Anantnag district, PTI reported, citing officials.
All educational institutions have been closed in Ramban, Kishtwar and Doda districts.
Islam said the decision was taken in view of road blockades and overflowing rivers at various places in the district, according to The Indian Express.
Kishtwar’s District Development Commissioner Ashok Sharma said that while no damage has been reported in the district so far, the administration has advised residents to stay home and not venture out unnecessarily, according to PTI.
Officials rescued 50 persons stuck in 10 vehicles due to snowfall and heavy rains in the Kishtwar, PTI reported.
“Snowfall and heavy rains triggered flash-floods in Simthan top area following which 50 passengers including some women and children, were stranded,” an unidentified official said. “The police got the track cleared and after a lot of hard work rescued all the passengers.”
The Vaishov stream was flowing above the flood alert mark in Kulgam district, flooding some areas.
The Doodhganga stream was almost breaching the flood alert mark in Srinagar’s Barzulla area.
In Doda, a high-level alert has been declared by the administration in areas close to river Chenab and its tributaries. An emergency helpline number has also been issued for the public.
The regional weather department, however, forecast a decrease in the intensity of rainfall from Wednesday afternoon.
“Significant improvement from 22nd forenoon,” a statement from the department said, according to Greater Kashmir. “From 23rd onwards, there is no forecast of any major rainfall till next one week.”
On Tuesday, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 15.0 degrees Celsius, which is 14.2 degrees Celsius lower than normal for this time of the year, reported PTI.
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