Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Aug 9
A fresh spell of heavy rain and thunderstorms is expected to sweep Jammu region over the coming days, raising the risk of flash floods, landslides and other weather-related hazards, the meteorological department said.
The spell is forecast to begin with fairly widespread light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds on August 10 before intensifying on August 11, when isolated areas could receive heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and strong winds.
The weather activity is expected to continue through August 15, with authorities warning that intense rainfall could trigger landslides, mudslides, flash floods and shooting stones in vulnerable areas.
“High intensity rains may induce landslides, mudslides, flash floods and shooting stones at vulnerable places in Jammu division,” the meteorological department said in its forecast, urging people to remain vigilant.
Mahender Singh, chief scientist and in-charge of agrometeorology at SKUAST-Jammu, said most parts of the Jammu region could receive light to moderate rain, with isolated intense spells during the night of August 9-10. The following two days were expected to bring widespread intense rainfall, he said.
Singh said the intensity of rainfall on August 9 and 10 had been lower than earlier expected because weather activity had weakened following widespread rain across northern India over the previous two days.
Meanwhile, rescue teams were searching for two young men feared drowned in the Chenab River in the Akhnoor area of Jammu district.
Police identified the men as Gajay Singh, 30, son of Vijay Singh, and Rakesh Singh, 35, son of Balwan Singh, both residents of Khour in Akhnoor.
They had gone to bathe in the river when the incident occurred, police said.
Police recovered their motorcycle, bearing registration number JK02BP-1567, along with mobile phones and clothes from the riverbank.
Joint teams comprising police, the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force and local divers were involved in the search.
Officials said strong river currents were hampering the operation, which remained underway.
