Srinagar, July 20: The Meteorological Department (MeT) on Thursday forecasted two-day intermittent light to moderate rain along with thundershower in Kashmir and heavy rainfall in Jammu region during the next 24 hours.
Director Meteorological Centre Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that they were expecting rains from July21 and there will be generally cloudy with intermittent light to moderate rain, thundershower at many places of Jammu and isolated places of Kashmir.
“Heavy rain may occur at some places of Jammu region during the same period especially during late night and early morning hours,” he said.
Meanwhile, the MeT department has also advised people to remain cautious and stay away from streams, rivers and flash flood prone areas.
On Wednesday, Jammu-Pathankot National Highway was rendered impassable as a bridge on the TarnahNallah has suffered damage due to heavy rains. The traffic is presently being diverted through the border road.
The authorities have also 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.
The rivers and rivulets in many places, especially in Kathua and Samba districts, have reached close to or crossed the flood alert level. On Thursday the water receded in Tawi and other water bodies in the region.
Deputy Commissioner Doda, told Rising Kashmir that the decision of closure of schools 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 IMD had advised the AmarnathYatra 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.
On Thursday, Deputy Commissioner Samba, Abhishek Sharma along with SSP Benam Tosh toured border areas to take stock of the flood situation in Devak and Basantar Rivers.
He issued a slew of directions to the stakeholder departments regarding flood mitigation measures. He directed Officers of the Flood control department to take immediate steps to prevent loss of life or property due to rising water level, especially in the downstream areas of Devak/Basantar Rivers.
DC asked the department to procure materials, equipment which can be used to deal with any emergency arising out of rising water levels in local rivers, nallahs.
DC KathuaRakeshMinhas visits rain affected areas of Bani, in which four people were killed after over half-a-dozen houses collapsed due to heavy rains in Bani. He also talked to the patients at the hospital. Over the past several weeks dozens of houses collapsed due to rains and 5 people were killed in these incidents.
In Kupwara flash floods triggered by cloud bursts and heavy rains have caused damage to KPDCL, Jal Shakti infrastructure, Culverts and a stretch of Zurhama-Jumgund road.
On Thursday, District Development Commissioner (DDC) Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan conducted an emergency tour of the flood-affected Zurhama area of Kupwara to get first-hand appraisal of the situation.
She visited Mir Mohalla and ChohanMohalla where some culverts connecting local habitations were damaged by flash floods.DC asked locals to take precautionary measures and avoid venturing close to nallahas and stressed upon the concerned departments to stay vigilant in case of any eventuality.
A traffic police spokesman said subject to fair weather and better road conditions SANJY Convoy /LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa.
The cut off timings for LMVs, Passenger, Private Cars (Other than Yatris/Tourists).The vehicles from Nagrota (Jammu) from 0600 hrs.to 1200 hrs and from Jakheni (Udhampur) 0700 hrs to 1300 hrs& from Qazigund 1130 hrs to 1400 hrs.
“TCU Jammu and TCU Srinagar will inform all concerned about the traffic advisory and cut off timings. No vehicle shall be allowed to move before and after cut off timings,” he said.
The spokesman said HMVs shall be allowed from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) towards Jammu after assessing the road and traffic situation on NH-44 and no HMV will be allowed after 1900 hrs. TCU Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the HMVs, he said.
Meanwhile all tankers of Pol, Diesel, LPG bulk gas, all empty LPG Cylinders carrying trucks; all empty vehicles of FCI; any other vehicle having upto 10-tyres shall adopt Mughal Road.
On Srinagar- Leh highway, vehicular movement on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road shall be allowed from both sides viz Srinagar towards Kargil and vice-versa.
“LMVs followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar at 0730 hrs. to 1100 hrs. Similarly, LMVs followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil at 1300 hrs to 1700 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timings,” he said.
Similarly vehicular movement on Mughal road shall be allowed from both sides viz. Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa. These vehicles shall be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian) at 0600 hrs. upto 1800 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timings, he added.
