Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 25

Widespread rain continued across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, but water levels in the Jhelum River and its major tributaries remained below warning thresholds, easing immediate fears of flooding even as forecasters warned of another spell of heavy rain later in the week.

The latest rainfall came after nearly eight days of unsettled weather driven by an active monsoon phase combined with western disturbances, with showers spreading from south Kashmir to central and northern parts of the region.

Ramban recorded the highest rainfall in the Jammu division, receiving 43.5 mm in the 12 hours to 5:30 pm, followed by Rajouri with 39 mm, Katra with 36.2 mm, Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan with 34.5 mm and Reasi with 32 mm, according to the Meteorological Department.

Jammu received 22 mm, while Poonch recorded 17 mm, Batote 16.4 mm, Bhaderwah 9.6 mm and Banihal 6.5 mm.

In Kashmir, Baramulla recorded the highest rainfall at 20.5 mm, followed by Gulmarg with 14.8 mm, Kokernag 13 mm, Qazigund 12.9 mm, Srinagar 10.8 mm, Pahalgam 9.6 mm and Kupwara 2.3 mm.

Kargil recorded 1 mm of rain, while Leh remained dry.

The weather office said the current spell was likely to weaken on July 26 and 27, with intermittent showers expected before a fresh and more widespread phase begins from July 28.

“One or two spells of rain or thundershowers are likely at many places on July 26 and 27, with brief intense showers at a few places in Jammu division,” the department said, warning that heavier showers could occur during the morning, afternoon and evening hours.

Widespread rainfall is then expected to return from July 28 and continue through July 31, with the possibility of heavy rain and brief intense showers in some districts of Jammu division.

The weather office warned of the risk of flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at vulnerable locations over the next five days, urging residents, tourists, travellers and transporters to follow official advisories and exercise caution.

Despite the persistent rain, the Jhelum remained well below its alert and danger marks at key monitoring stations.

At 7 pm, the river was flowing at 14.83 feet at Sangam, compared with an alert level of 21 feet and a danger mark of 25 feet.

At Pampore, the river stood at 4.42 metres, just below the warning level of 4.5 metres and well below the danger level of 5 metres.

The Jhelum was measured at 17.54 feet at Ram Munshibagh, against a warning level of 18 feet, while the level at Asham stood at 12.84 feet compared with a warning mark of 14 feet.

Wular Lake was recorded at 1576.520 metres, below its alert level of 1578 metres.

Major tributaries, including the Vaishaw Nallah at Khudwani, Rambiara at Wachi, Lidder at Batkoot, Doodhganga at Barzulla and Sind Nallah at Doderhama, also remained below their respective warning and danger levels.

The Flood Control and Irrigation Department said water levels at monitoring stations along the Jhelum basin had fallen below warning levels across south, central and north Kashmir.

However, it cautioned that further rainfall in the southern catchment could produce a modest rise in water levels and temporarily slow the river’s recession downstream towards Wular Lake.

The overall trend was nevertheless expected to remain receding across the Jhelum basin, the department said.

The prolonged wet weather also brought a sharp fall in daytime temperatures, with Srinagar recording a maximum of 21.5 degrees Celsius, 8.4 degrees below the seasonal average.

Qazigund recorded 20.4 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 20.5 degrees, Kupwara 21 degrees, Pahalgam 18 degrees and Gulmarg 15 degrees.

Temperatures were also subdued in the Jammu division, where Jammu recorded 27.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Rajouri at 24 degrees, Katra at 23.8 degrees, Bhaderwah at 23.5 degrees and Poonch at 23.4 degrees.

Meteorologists said the reduction in rainfall intensity expected over the next two days could provide some relief after a prolonged period of wet weather, although intermittent showers are likely to persist.

The weather office is keeping a particularly close watch on the period from July 29 to 30, when the probability of heavy rainfall across much of Jammu and Kashmir is expected to increase.

For now, authorities have reported no widespread flooding, but residents in vulnerable areas remain on alert as further rain could raise water levels in rivers and streams and increase the risk of landslides and flash floods.