Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, June 29: The Monsoon is likely to hit Jammu and Kashmir in next 24 to 36 hours while with the continuous pre-monsoon showers since last night across Jammu region, the winter capital city (Jammu) today recorded a temperature, about 13 degrees Celsius below normal.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained opened amidst brief disruptions between Ramban and Banihal due to shooting stones and mud-slides at a few places but by and large, the highway remained clear as the machines removed the debris/ Mulba from the highway immediately. Batote-Kishtwar highway was closed near Kandni (Thathri area) for some time due to fresh landslides but it was also cleared within 45 minutes by the authorities.
Continuous rain across the State has paralysed normal life but Shri Amarnath pilgrimage and Mata Vaishnodevi Yatra continued uninterrupted. Helicopter service to Mata Vaishnodevi shrine from the base camp Katra remained suspended for several hours due to bad weather. The house of one Sham Lal, resident of Ranibagh near Jammu airport was partially damaged during rain this morning. However, the family members had narrow escape. The drain water entered many city areas in Jammu. In Lane No. 10 of Shakti Nagar, Nallah water after breaching inside protection entered in some houses causing damage to their properties. They alleged that Nallah has been constructed by ERA and due to sub-standard work it got breached.
Director, Meteorology Department , J&K, Sonam Lotus, when contacted, said that the rain which started across the State last night is still being considered as pre-monsoon. He claimed that the Monsoon is likely to hit J&K during next 24-36 hours. He said it had entered Delhi and Haryana two days ago and is heading towards our State. He said in next 24 hours, the rain / thundershower would continue in most of the areas in J&K. The weather may show some improvement after two days.
With the rain across the region, a sharp fall in temperature has been recorded in Jammu region. Jammu’s maximum temperature was 25.1 degree Celsius which is 13 degree below normal. The minimum temperature recorded today was 24.6 degree C. Yesterday, Jammu’s maximum temperature was 28.4 degree C.
Katra Mata Vaishnodevi recorded a maximum temperature of 23.4 degree C and minimum 21.7 degree C, Bhaderwah tourist resort a maximum 20.3 degree C and minimum 16.6 degree C, Batote maximum 19.0 degree C and minimum 17.6 degrees C where as Banihal town recorded maximum 20.5 degree C and minimum 16.5 degree Celsius.
Srinagar today recorded a maximum temperature of 21.8 degree Celsius and minimum 16.7 degree C, Pahalgam tourist resort maximum 17.6 degree C and minimum 12.6 degree C, Gulmarg ski-destination of Kashmir maximum 14.0 degree C and minimum 0.9 degree C , Leh 25.6 degree C and minimum 12.1 degree C while Kargil town maximum 26.2 degree C and minimum 11.2 degree Celsius temperature today.
Reports from Doda, Ramban, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri and Poonch besides other sub divisions of the region revealed that rain continued in all the places since last night. The power supply in many areas has been snapped. Even in many parts of Billawar, Nami, Basohli and Ramnagar, Dudu-Basantgarh Sub Divisions, the power supply has been affected with the ongoing rain. Even in district Jammu including Kot Bhalwal, Gharota and Raipur Domana area, the power supply in several areas has been snapped. About a dozen link roads in these districts were closed due to landslides but Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch, Jammu-Udhampur-Batote- Kishtwar and Katra- Reasi-Mahore roads were clear.
A senior Traffic Police officer told the Excelsior that traffic on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was briefly disrupted due to shooting stones and mud-slides but the road was cleared immediately as in view of ongoing Shri Amarnath Yatra, the highway authorities have deployed additional machines/ JCBs at the trouble prone areas including Panthial, Battery Chashma and some other points. He said road between Doda and Kishtwar also remained blocked due to landslides near Thathri during the day but it was also cleared shortly by the authorities.
With the rain, there is flood in most of the rivers, streams and Nallahs across the region, but most of them had been flowing much below danger mark. Some nallahs/ large drains in city localities like Nanak Nagar, Preet Nanar, Shastri Nagar and Talab Tilloo were over flooded and water entered in some houses causing damage. But no much damage has been reported except Shakti Nahar, where a protection wall of nallah breached. The water entered in 4-5 houses causing damage to their properties. In Airport area house of one Sham Lal was partially damaged but no loss of life has been reported from anywhere. The rain made many people to stay indoors and the attendance in many offices was also thin. The vehicular movement was also affected with the heavy rain across the region today.
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