2 cloudbursts trigger flash floods in Shangus, Pahalgam

Srinagar, Jul 11: Two cloudbursts struck south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday late evening, triggering flash floods in Shangus and Pahalgam, damaging agricultural land and inundating several huts and hotels, officials said. The first cloudburst hit the upper reaches of Chatergul in Shangus, causing the Aaripath stream to swell. Floodwaters carrying mud and debris entered paddy fields, orchards, and parts of nearby residential areas, damaging standing crops, officials said. About an hour later, another cloudburst struck the Overa Wildlife Sanctuary in Pahalgam area, leading to a sudden surge in the Overa Nallah. The overflowing stream entered several huts and hotels, creating panic in the area. Tourists staying in a hotel near the stream were safe, officials said. Officials said all concerned departments had been put on alert, while rescue and monitoring teams were deployed to assess the situation and keep watch over vulnerable areas. “There has been no report of any casualty so far. Damage assessment is underway at both locations,” an official said. The administration has advised residents and visitors to stay away from rivers and streams, avoid venturing near the Aaripath and Overa Nallahs, and follow official advisories in view of the prevailing weather conditions. Meanwhile, intermittent light to moderate rain lashed several parts of Kashmir and the Jammu division from Saturday evening, bringing relief from the hot and humid conditions that prevailed during the day. The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain and thundershowers across Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. After a warm and humid day, weather conditions changed by evening as spells of rain and thundershowers affected many areas across the Valley and parts of the Jammu division, leading to a noticeable drop in temperatures. According to the Meteorological Department, light to moderate rainfall was recorded in several districts of south, central, and north Kashmir. Rain also occurred in the tourist resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, besides along the Pahalgam and Baltal yatra routes. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 30.2 degrees Celsius, down from 34.5 degrees Celsius a day earlier. Qazigund recorded 30.6 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 24.8 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg 21.2 degrees Celsius. In the Jammu division, Rajouri received the highest rainfall at 50 mm during the past 24 hours, followed by Samba (20 mm), Katra (15 mm), Jammu Airport (6.4 mm), Poonch (5.5 mm), Udhampur (4.6 mm), Reasi (2.5 mm) and Kathua (1 mm). Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 34.4 degrees Celsius. Katra recorded 29.6 degrees Celsius, Banihal 29.7 degrees Celsius, Batote 27.1 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah 25 degrees Celsius. Director of the Meteorological Department Mukhtar Ahmad said intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected to continue across Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. “One or two spells of rain and thundershowers are likely at many places on July 12. Brief intense showers are expected at isolated places in the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal region of Jammu division,” Ahmad said. He said the weather is expected to remain mostly dry from July 13 to 17, with temperatures rising again although isolated places may receive brief showers. Day temperatures are likely to rise again during the period.

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