Poonch, Rajouri on High Alert as Fresh Western Disturbance Threatens More Rain
Srinagar, KNT: Jammu and Kashmir remained in the grip of severe weather on Tuesday, with meteorologists warning that Poonch and Rajouri districts are likely to face the highest risk of rain-related disasters over the next 48 hours as another Western Disturbance is set to influence the region.
Weather experts said the two border districts have already received more than 50 mm of rainfall on each of the past three days, leaving the soil heavily saturated and significantly increasing the possibility of flash floods, landslides, mudslides, slope failures and damage to public infrastructure.
Experts explained that as the ground loses its capacity to absorb additional rainfall, even moderate showers can generate rapid surface runoff, destabilising slopes and triggering fresh landslides, particularly in the hilly terrain of the Pir Panjal range.
The approaching Western Disturbance is expected to further enhance rainfall over Poonch and Rajouri. Owing to their geographical location along the Pir Panjal mountains, the two districts are often the first in Jammu and Kashmir to experience intense precipitation associated with such weather systems before they advance deeper into the region.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in Kathua district deteriorated following torrential rainfall. Ujh Nallah at Panjtirthi in Billawar crossed the official alert level of 16.5 feet by noon and was flowing at around 19 feet, just one foot below the danger level of 20 feet. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as water levels continue to rise.
Heavy flooding also breached the Old Samba–Kathua Road at Sahar Khad near Sherpur, disrupting connectivity once again. Both Sahar Khad and Magar Khad were reported to be in spate, while several other seasonal streams across Kathua witnessed a sharp rise in water levels following incessant rainfall.
Kathua recorded an intense spell of rain, receiving approximately 93.5 millimetres of precipitation within just three-and-a-half hours, leading to widespread waterlogging, overflowing streams and damage at several locations.
In north Kashmir, intense rainfall caused several small streams in Tangmarg area of Baramulla district to overflow, inundating nearby areas. Reports said floodwaters entered a number of houses and damaged agricultural and horticultural land, causing concern among residents.
In central Kashmir’s Budgam district, Nallah Sukhnag overflowed following heavy rainfall in its upper catchment, submerging the Beerwah Diversion and forcing authorities to suspend vehicular movement. Officials said the diversion, which routinely goes under water during periods of high discharge, remained inundated while the water level in the nallah continued to rise.
Authorities across the Union Territory have advised people to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly through flood-prone and landslide-vulnerable areas. Residents living near rivers, nallahs and hill slopes have been urged to remain vigilant and immediately report any emergency to the concerned authorities.
Disaster management agencies, police, civil administration and road restoration teams remain on high alert as fresh rainfall is expected over the next two days, raising fears of additional landslides, flash floods and disruption to road connectivity across several districts. [KNT]
