MeT issues warning of flash floods
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 28: As rains continued to lash Kashmir, the Weatherman today cautioned people against flash floods, mudslides and landslides at vulnerable places.
The heavy rains since last night caused flooding of roads and waterlogging in several areas of Srinagar.
As the rainfall was heavy, many city roads got waterlogged and some areas are still under water.
Several areas of Bemina in Srinagar submerged in rain water with people complaining hardships due to lack of adequate measures by the authorities to dewater the low-lying localities.
Residents of Hajiabad Bemina, Abu Baker Colony and those living in and around Iqra Public School said that they are facing a lot of hardships as rain water has inundated the low-lying areas.
“Our entire locality is submerged but authorities are not employing enough measures to dewater the areas so that our hardships are eased,” said Haji Ghulam Ahmad, a resident of Hajiabad Bemina. “We are not even able to move out of the houses to get essentials.”
Several areas in Chattabal, Qamarwari and Shalteng were also waterlogged and residents were facing hardships in these areas as administration failed in de-watering these areas.
An official said that three houses belonging to Abdul Rashid Dar, Abdul Rashid Rather and Abdul Gani Bhat were damaged at Rawatpora in Khag area of district Budgam.
The traffic to border town Uri in North Kashmir remained suspended due to incessant rains that triggered landslides at several places along the road.
The landslides blocked the road at several places, especially near Uri. “We have roped in men and machinery to clear the road of the debris and restore the traffic movement at an earliest”, an official said.
The Meteorological Department forecast more light to moderate rain at scattered places of Jammu and Kashmir in next 24 hours.
“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.
He said that Srinagar received highest rainfall of 43.9mm, Qazigund 30.6mm, Gulmarg 22.8mm, Pahalgam 5.2mm, Kokernag 1.8mm and Kupwara 0.4mm.
The minimum temperatures recorded a decrease at most places in Kashmir.
The MeT official said that Srinagar recorded a low of 19.4°C against 21.8°C the previous night. However, the temperature was 0.7°C above normal during this time of the year. 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.
In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at 17.1°C against 17.8°C the previous night and it was 3.8°C above normal for the place.
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.
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.
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