Rains Lash J&K triggers Flash floods in Kashmir parts

‘Several families affected in South Kashmir, shifted to safer places; weatherman forecasts more precipitation’

Rains lashed parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, while parts of south and north Kashmir reported flash flood events triggered by the “incessant rains”— reportedly after cloudbursts, while the weatherman has forecasted more precipitation till July 28.

Reports reaching Ground Report said that the flash floods were reported in several areas of Damhal Hanjipora in South Kashmir's Kulgam district.

Flash floods in Kashmir parts

As per the reports, Korel, Chogalpora, Kurbatpora, Chachmulla, and Jaibal areas of Kulgam district were affected due to the flash floods.

A senior official at the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) stationed at Srinagar weather station confirmed to Ground Report about the flash flood events in different parts of the valley, stating that there were no major injuries or human loss, but were minor damages to infrastructure and roads.

Meanwhile, following the flash flood incident in the area, the district administration Kulgam in a tweet said that they shifted the affected families to safer places.

“District admin Kulgam reaches to areas affected due to flash floods, Affected families shifted to safer places”, district administration Kulgam tweeted.

Torrential rains cause devastation

In a separate flash flood incident in the frontier district Kupwara, flash floods were triggered by torrential rains in several villages of Lolab causing widespread damage to standing crops and orchards.

As per the reports villages including Gundmachar, Khurhama, and Shalagund witnessed damage to agricultural crops and orchards due to flash floods, while several roads suffered damage too.

Meanwhile, several purported videos were viral on social media on Saturday, showing the waterlogging in several areas of Srinagar city with netizens questioning the authorities over the “planning” and working of the “drainage system”.

As per the news wire, KNO, damages have been reported during the flash floods in the Doda on Saturday in which the Thalela-Charela road has suffered damage.

At least 97 families have been shifted to safer locations after water from the Chenab River inundated Garkhal village in the Akhnoor sub-division of Jammu district.

An official said that a massive rescue operation was launched in the village after the Chenab River breached the protection wall today.

He said that a few days ago, 43 families were shifted, however, due to heavy rainfall since morning the situation deteriorated further as the Chenab River breached the protection wall and inundated the village.

Sub Divisional Police Officer Akhnoor, Mohan Lal Sharma said 97 families have been shifted to safer places and temporary shelters have also been established for them.

He said that the situation may escalate further in the village if more water flows in from the Chenab River due to heavy rainfall.

Besides, the intermittent rainfall continued across Jammu & Kashmir today, bringing down the mercury in the Union Territory.

Rain forecast J&K July 23-25

Director Meteorological Department (MeT), Sonum Lotus said that there is a possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain at scattered places of J&K on July 23.

He said that on July 24-25, the weather would remain partly to generally cloudy while a brief spell of rain may occur in some places.

Lotus further said that no large change is expected from July 26-July 28.

According to the MeT forecast, "Light to moderate rain/thundershower at many places are expected in Jammu and Kashmir during next 24 hours. Some spells can be heavy, especially in Kathua district”.

On July 23, MeT said, intermittent light to moderate rain was expected at scattered places of J&K.

On July 24-25, they said, partly to generally cloudy weather is expected. "A brief spell of rain may occur at some places." On July 26-28, he said, no large change is expected.

Regarding rainfall in the last 24 hours till 0830 Saturday morning MeT said, Srinagar received 8.6mm, Qazigund 25.8mm, Pahalgam 10.1mm, Kupwara 00mm, Gulmarg 4.4mm, Jammu 0.2mm, Bhaderwah 5.6mm and Batote 3.8mm and Kokernag recorded 12.0 mm of rainfall.

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