Srinagar, India
The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed incessant rainfall in the last three days resulting in flash floods, and inundation of roads, leading to the temporary closure of many highways. Many districts across Jammu and Kashmir have closed schools after fresh snowfall in higher reaches and rains lashing the plains. The government of Jammu and Kashmir has also issued an avalanche warning in the higher reaches while river Jhelum is flowing higher than its normal mark.
The weather in the UT has created havoc as flash floods occurred in many places across Jammu and Kashmir. Due to the continuous rain, the national highway connecting Jammu-Srinagar has also been closed to traffic. Continuous rain is hindering the clearance work on the highway and people are being advised to avoid journeys on NH-44 till the weather improves and the road is clear. Moreover, Mughal Road and SSG Road are still closed to traffic.
Many residential houses and roads in North Kashmir, including the Handwara and Kupwara districts, have been inundated as a result of the heavy rains across the UT. The administration in Kupwara district also announced the closure of schools in the area.
Meanwhile, Gurez Valley in North Kashmir's Bandipora area received fresh snowfall after which the authorities announced the closure of all education institutions across the Bandipora district.
There have been multiple road accidents across various districts due to the heavy rains including the Gagangir-Sonamarg accident in which four people died while three were rescued alive. Meanwhile, search operation in the river stream continues for the two missing people.
The tourists resorts like Gulmarg and the higher reaches of North Kashmir also recieved fresh snowfall. While the locals of the valley were surprised by this weather change, the tourists visiting from various parts of the country were enjoying the snowfall in Gulmarg.
Not only in Kashmir Valley but many parts of the Jammu region have also been witnessing heavy rains. Areas like Ramban, Doda, Poonch and Banihal have been lashed with rains in the last three days. The authorities in Doda and Ramban also announced the closure of schools in the area.
The MeT department has predicted more rains for the next 24 hours across the Union Territory. They have also sent an advisory to the farmers to suspend all the operations till 30th April. The MeT also said that there will be a temporary disruption of traffic over higher reaches of Zojila, Sinthan Pass, Mughal Road, Razdan Pass etc., and there are chances of water logging in the low-lying areas.
They also added that there are chances of landslides and shooting stones in many higher reaches and National Highway. Also, temporary increase in water level in Jhelum and its tributaries and other local streams and nullahs.