Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 4
India’s weather office warned on Tuesday that parts of the Jammu region could experience short spells of intense rainfall this week, raising the risk of flash floods, landslides and isolated cloudbursts in mountainous areas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said vulnerable districts, including Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur and Jammu, could witness localized heavy downpours through Wednesday.
Scientists at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) said another spell of intense rainfall was likely around Aug. 10 after a brief reduction in rainfall later this week.
“Rainfall intensity is expected to decrease after Aug. 6, but activity is likely to pick up again after August 10, with the possibility of isolated intense spells,” Mahender Singh, Chief Scientist and Head of Agrometeorology at SKUAST-Jammu, said.
The weather department has forecast fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall across Jammu division through Aug. 10, while warning of landslides and falling rocks in vulnerable hill areas.
Official data showed several stations, including Udhampur, Kathua, Reasi and Jammu, recorded significant rainfall during the first three days of August.
Meteorologists said above-normal rainfall during July had largely eliminated the seasonal rainfall deficit across Jammu division, with several districts now recording surplus precipitation.
Daytime temperatures in Jammu are expected to remain between 33 and 35 degrees Celsius over the next few days, accompanied by hot and humid conditions, the weather office said.
Authorities have continued issuing advisories urging people to avoid vulnerable slopes, riverbanks and flood-prone areas during periods of heavy rain.
According to official figures, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded more than 25 cloudbursts since June, triggering flash floods and landslides that caused widespread damage, particularly in the Jammu region.
The worst-hit districts include Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar, where heavy rainfall has damaged homes, roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure.
