Srinagar, Aug 23: At least two persons lost their lives while two others sustained injuries in separate rain-related incidents in Reasi and Kathua districts on Saturday. The Meteorological Department has forecasted continued rainfall over the next 24 hours across the region, officials said.
According to police, Shahbaz Ahmad, a resident of Jamlan village, died and two others, Javed Ahmad and Abdul Gani, were injured when their truck was struck by a landslide near MalaiNallah in the Mahore area of Reasi district. The incident occurred around 2:30 am. The injured were promptly evacuated by rescue teams to a nearby hospital, where their condition was reported as stable.
In a separate incident in Kathua district, one person identified as Ravi lost his life after his car was caught in flash floods while crossing an overflowing stream near Dreamland Park. The deceased’s body was recovered by a joint rescue team comprising the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police.
Meanwhile, in Jammu’s outskirts, at least 20 passengers, including several students, were injured when a private bus overturned near a bridge in the Arnia area of R S Pura. The bus, en route to Jammu, skidded off the road after the driver lost control, overturning in an open field. The injured were rushed to hospital, with four reportedly in serious condition, officials said.
Dr.Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar, stated that from August 24 to 26, light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms are expected across many parts of the region. “Heavy rainfall is forecast at some places in Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, and Rajouri, with moderate showers in Poonch, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, and southern Kashmir division,” he added.
From August 27 to 31, hot and humid weather with brief spells of rain and thunder is predicted at a few places, according to the advisory.
Dr.Mukhtar, further, warned of possible intense rainfall and thunderstorms at some locations in Jammu and Kashmir over the next 24 hours. “There is a risk of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and shooting stones at vulnerable areas. People are advised to stay away from water bodies, streams, river embankments, unstable structures, and mud houses,” he cautioned.
