Rain Fury Creates Flood-Like Situation In Jammu As 4 Left Dead; IMD Predicts More Downpour

The heavy rains on Wednesday have created flood-like situation in Jammu with four people left dead by the downpour in Kathua district.

The traffic on the lone road link connecting Srinagar with the rest of the country— Jammu-Srinagar national highway has been suspended.

Killer Rains Leave Four Dead:

Four people were killedand several others feared trapped after over half-a-dozen houses collapsed due to heavy rains in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, PTI reported.

It said a rescue operation is underway in the affected villages of Bani tehsil.

The report said a house collapsed in Surjan village, killing two people while three are feared trapped.

Reports of house collapse were also received from several other villages in Bani tehsil, resulting in the death of two people.

The authorities have ordered the closure of schools in Doda and Kishtwar districts as heavy rains lashed the Jammu region, creating a flood-like situation at many places, PTI reported.

The rivers and rivulets in many places, especially in Kathua and Samba districts, have reached close to or crossed the flood alert level.

The weather office has predicted more rains in the region.

Heavy rains lashed wide parts of Jammu division overnight, triggering mudslides and landslides at several places along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Ramban district, forcing authorities to suspend traffic, the report said.

"The highway is still blocked and people are advised not to travel till the restoration work is completed," the report quoting traffic authorities said.

The report also said the traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot highway was also diverted in Kathua district where two pillars of a bridge suffered damages due to flash floods in Tarnah nallah.

It said all government and private schools were closed for the day in Doda and Kishtwar districts as a precautionary measure.

The decision was taken for the safety of the students as the water level in the Chenab river and its tributaries is on the rise amid continuous rainfall, it mentioned.

"The flood situation is grim in Kathua and Samba as all the rivers including Ujh in Kathua and Basantar have crossed flood alert mark, while the water level in Tawi, Chenab and its tributaries in Jammu are nearing the flood alert level," the report said.

Mata Vaishno Devi New Track Closed:

The new track to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine has been closed for pilgrims in view of landslide threat as Katra town in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district received the heaviest rainfall in past 43 years.

Chopper service to the shrine has also been suspended because of inclement weather. However, pilgrims can reach the shrine atop Trikuta Hills will continue on the old track, officials said on Wednesday.

"Yatra has been suspended on the new track due to the threat of landslides. However, the yatra is going on the old track," the report quoted Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), Anshul Garg s having said.

Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine, received 315.4 mm rainfall, an all time high, a spokesperson of the meteorological department said.

"This is the heaviest rainfall since 1980," he said.

The chopper and battery car service at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district was also suspended due to the inclement weather, the report said.

While the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage is going on smoothly, the new battery car track to the shrine was closed in view of the apprehension of shooting of stones and landslide, the report said.

It said the helicopter service to the shrine was also suspended due to inclement weather.

IMD Predicts More Rains For Jammu and Kashmir For Coming Week:

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted widespread to fairly widespread rainfall in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir over the next seven days.

The report quoting IMD official said the Union Territory will receive widespread to fairly widespread rainfall in the coming week.

"There was heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The highest amount of rainfall occurred in the Katra belt of Reasi district," the report quoting IMD official said.

"The recorded rainfall in Katra was 315.4 mm, categorised as extremely heavy,"the report quoted IMD official as having said.

It added this is the highest recorded rainfall in the region in 43 years.

IMD Issues Advisory For Amarnath Pilgrims:

The IMD had advised the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to adhere to the guidelines provided at their respective base camps.

"They should follow the weather reports and advisories of the administration before undertaking the yatra," he said.

The IMD also has predicted the possibility of flash floods in low-lying areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

In an advisory, police said due to continuous heavy rainfall, the Chadwal bridge on the Jammu-Pathankot national highway has been closed for traffic.

"Dear residents and passengers of Kathua. Due to the recent and continuous heavy rains in the area, we are sorry to inform you that the Chadwal bridge has been damaged. In consequence, this creates a potential threat to all vehicles and pedestrians trying to cross it," the advisory said.

Floods in Taranah nallah caused damages to the pillars of the bridge resulting in its slight sinking, it said.

"Please follow diversion and temporary routes. These routes are designed to facilitate smooth traffic flow and reduce discomfort," the advisory said.

Police also asked the people to report suspicious activities.

"If you see any suspicious activities on the roads or encounter potential threats, please inform the nearest police station immediately," the advisory said.