Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 23: The Meteorological Department today warned moderate to heavy rains and snow from tomorrow for three days in the State due to approaching western disturbance.
Director MeT, Sonam Lotus, said here that the western disturbance is approaching towards Jammu and Kashmir and is likely to affect the State from Saturday afternoon (October 24) to Tuesday forenoon (October 27).
“Under the influence of this weather system, moderate to heavy rain, thundershower and snowfall over higher reaches will occur at widespread places in Kashmir & Jammu divisions and at many places in Ladakh region particularly Kargil district,” he said in a MeT communiqué to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, adding: “Some places may receive heavy rain, snow during this period.”
The weatherman warned that inclement weather condition may trigger landslide and blockade of road in vulnerable areas of the State particularly along 300 kilometer long Srinagar-Jammu, Srinagar-Leh and Leh-Manali Road. The weatherman further warned that the adverse weather may disrupt surface and air transport during three days.
The fresh weather warning by the MeT department has renewed fears of flood among the residents of the Valley as it has been observed that a single day of rain floods the water bodies of the region that include Jhelum River, Vaishaw and Romshi streams in south Kashmir.
However, the MeT Department Director Lotus told Excelsior that as of now they don’t expect floods. “But our job is to aware people about the spell of rainfall. We are expecting rains for two days in plains and snow in upper reaches. So, we don’t want to put any blame on ourselves. That is why we issued warning in advance,” he said. The Valley early this week witnessed heavy rains in plains and snowfall in upper reaches causing steep decline in the temperature.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asgar Samoon told Excelsior that the administration is fully prepared to deal with any emergency. “We are alert and prepared to deal with any emergency situation,” he said. He said that the timely warning would be issued to the people of few villages of Kulgam living along Vaishaw stream to vacate if flash floods occur.
“The Vaishaw Nallah is repeatedly getting flooded and affecting populace due to rains. There is no other solution to the problem other then construction of permanent bunds. We hope that if Prime Minister grants funds during his upcoming visit to the State, we will then start work on it to avoid problems in future,” the Divisional Commissioner added.
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