Srinagar, July 28 (GNS): Weatherman on Thursday urged authorities to suspend Amarnath Yatra till weather improves further.

A meteorological department official said that widespread light to moderate rain was expected in Jammu and Kashmir. The weather would be cloudy with light rain at some places on Baltal-Holy Cave, Pahalgam-Holycave, the official said.

“For next 3 hours, light to moderate rain may continue over many places of J&K including Pahalgam-Holycave, Baltal-HolyCave axis ,” the MeT official said in a statement to GNS and advised the authorities to “suspend yatra from Baltal-Holy Cave, Pahalgam-Holycave till weather improves further.” (GNS)

Srinagar Receives Highest Rainfall In Last 24 Hours, Minimum Temp Drops At Most Places

Srinagar, July 28 (GNS): As rains continued to lash Jammu and Kashmir, the weatherman on Thursday cautioned people against flash floods, mudslides and landslides at vulnerable places.

The weatherman also forecast more light to moderate rain at scattered places of Jammu and Kashmir in next 24 hours.

“Advisory: Rainfall on upper reaches may lead to flash flood, mudslide and landslide at vulnerable places. Please remain cautious and prepared as these events often occurs suddenly,” a meteorological department official said in a statement to GNS.

In last 24 hours till 08:30 a.m. today, he said, Srinagar received highest rainfall of 43.9mm followed by Katra (34.8mm), Batote (33.2mm), Kathua (32.4mm), Qazigund (30.6mm), Bhaderwah (27.3 mm), Gulmarg (22.8mm), Jammu & Pahalgam (5.2mm), Banihal(4.8mm), Kokernag(1.8mm) and Kupwara(0.4mm).

Meanwhile, the minimum temperatures recorded a decrease at most places in Kashmir Valley and Jammu division.

The MeT official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 19.4°C against 21.8°C on the previous night. However the temperature was 0.7°C above normal during this time of the year for the summer capital, the official said.

Qazigund recorded a low of 18.6°C against 20.7°C on the previous night. The temperature was 1.6°C above normal there, he said.

In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at 17.1°C against 17.8°C on the previous night and it was 3.8°C above normal for the south Kashmir resort.

Kokernag recorded a low of 18.7°C against 18.8°C last night and it was 2.3°C above normal for the place, he said.

World famous Gulmarg resort recorded a low of 12.6°C against 13.2°C and it was 0.2°C above normal for the north Kashmir place.

Kupwara town saw a low of 19.2°C against 19.0°C on previous night and it was 1.8°C above normal for the place during this time of the season, the official told Global News Service.

Jammu recorded a low of 25.3°C against 25.8°C on the previous night. However, it was 0.1°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.

Banihal recorded a low of 19.4°C, Batote 18.5°C, Katra 22.2°C and Bhadarwah 19.1°C, the official said. (GNS)

Doda, July 28; Assistant Commisioner Development Doda, Phulail Singh held a review meeting of RDD staff at Block headquarters Bhaderwah.The meeting was attended by Executive Engineer REW Doda Sh. Pankaj Sharma, BDO Bhaderwah Sunil Kumar, AEE REW, AE REW, all the Secretary Panchayats, Junior Enginneers and Technical Assistants.

The ACD reviewed the progress of Capex grants under Area Development Programme, MGNREGA, PMAY and construction of new Panchayat Ghars. Junior Engineer wise targets were reviewed and BDO Bhadeewah was directed to ensure that estimates of all the works are prepared with in five days. The technical assistants were directed to prepare estimates of soakage pits under MGNREGA on war footings so that the targets assigned by the government are achieved within stipulated period of time.

Besides, the Technical Assisntants were also directed to complete estimation of all the projected works on secure software under MGNREGA so that the works are started once the target of soakage pits is achieved.

The secretary panchayats were directed to handle all the portals and assignments of GRS till they resume their duties.

Latter ACD also conducted meeting of PRI for making arrangements for Har Ghar Tiranga under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Jammu, July 28

Authorities rescued students and teachers trapped in a government school after heavy rainfall triggered flash floods inundating many areas of the Jammu region on Thursday, officials said.

Dozens of houses and structures were damaged, some bridges washed away and scores of vehicles stuck on roads and highways in various districts of the region, they said.
The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed for traffic in the morning due to landslides and shooting stones in Ramban district.

In Jammu, police and locals swung into action and rescued students and teachers trapped in a school building due to flash floods in the Muthi-Udhaywala area, the officials said.

Several people escaped unhurt when an old building collapsed due to heavy rains in the Kanak Mandi area. It triggered protests against the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) for its alleged failure to bring down old and unused buildings in the old city causing a threat to life to the residents and shopkeepers, the officials said.

A wall of another house collapsed in Kalka colony.

Most of the roads and dozens of colonies in Jammu city were inundated due to heavy rainfall gauged over 80 mm in a few hours.

As per reports, dozens of houses and structures suffered damage due to rains, flash floods and landslides in Jammu, Kathua, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur and Reasi districts.

The region recorded heavy rainfall since early Thursday morning.

Worst-affected areas in Jammu due to the rainfall and subsequent flash floods were Keran, lower Roopnagar, Kangrail, Raipur, Kot-Bhalwal, Burn and Ghrota, Paloura, Takab Tillo, Channi Himmat and other low-lying areas where the rainwater entered houses, the officials said.

Power and water supply in parts of the city and other rural areas was affected badly, while water and mud entered many houses and shops in Old Janipur, Bhawani Nagar, Naseeb Nagar, Shant Nagar, Paloura, Lower Roop Nagar, Muthi, they said.

The water level of most of the rivers like Chinab, Tawi, Ujh, Basantar and other nallahs was running above the danger mark. Authorities issued advisories urging people to stay away from rivers, the officials said.

Dozens of vehicles were trapped on a highway in Kathua.

In Kishtwar, a foot-bridge was washed away in the Afti area, the officials said.

In Reasi district, a new track to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hills was closed on Thursday as a precautionary measure following heavy rains in the area, they said.

As per the advisory, those residing in slide-prone areas should remain extra vigilant and report any untoward incident to the administration at the earliest.