Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Sept 4: Unbelievable it may sound but it is a fact that 30 hours long rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir has broken the record of over 2 decades with major parts of the State recording minimum 100 millimeters of rains. Even moderate rainfall was also recorded in Ladakh region and keeping in view the weather advisory, the disaster management teams have been activated in Leh as well as Kargil districts.
Director of Indian Meteorological Department, Srinagar, Sonam Lotus told EXCELSIOR that the heavy and continuous rainfall, which has caused massive destruction in the length and breadth of the State, has broken the record of over two decades in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
“As per climatology, September is not considered as rainy season for Kashmir and Ladakh regions but this year both these regions have recorded heavy and moderate rainfall”, he said, adding “although rains in Jammu region during September is a normal phenomenon but the intensity during the past two days was unimaginable”.
He informed that rainfall of 30 hours from 8.30 hours of August 3 till 14.30 hours of August 4, has broken the record of more than 20 years (two decades) in both Kashmir and Jammu provinces. “All the parts of Jammu region recorded minimum 100 millimeters of rainfall during this period while as intensity was slightly less only in some parts of Kashmir valley”, he added.
According to Mr Lotus, Srinagar recorded 88 millimeters (mm) of rainfall during this period while as Qazigund recorded highest 286 mm of rainfall. Similarly, Pahalgam recorded 115 mm rainfall, Kupwara 61 mm, Kokernag 219 mm, Gulmarg 139 mm, Jammu 107 mm, Banihal 245 mm, Katra 158 mm and Bhaderwah 165 mm rainfall.
In Jammu region, such a huge rainfall was earlier recorded in the month of September in 1988 while as in Kashmir valley rainfall of such intensity was recorded in 1992. Prior to this, such a massive rainfall in Kashmir division was measured in 1980, Director IMD said.
In response to a question, he said, “rainfall will continue till August 6th evening but with significant decrease in intensity from tomorrow”. He, however, cautioned that people in the low-lying areas and along the water bodies should remain alert till August 7 morning when the weather conditions would start improving, in order to prevent loss to the lives.
According to the reports, moderate intensity rainfall was also recorded in Leh and Kargil districts. The nullah at Choglamsar in Leh, which caused massive havoc during the flash floods of 2010, was overflowing although there were no reports of damages.
Keeping in view the advisory issued by the Government, the administration in both these districts has activated the disaster management teams in order to keep watch on the situation and act swiftly in case of any emergent situation.
Responding to a question, Mr Lotus said that since weather information especially forecasts and warnings are critical for the protection of life and property, IMD is going to augment all its 20 Automatic Weather Stations and Manual Observatories in Jammu and Kashmir and funds for the same have already been sanctioned.
“Some more Automatic Weather Stations would also come up in uncovered areas so as to keep track on the weather conditions and pass timely information to the Government”, he added.
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