Heavy rains swell rivers in J&K

Srinagar: Intermittent rainfall in parts of Jammu and Kashmir has swollen major rivers and streams, triggering a flood scare across the Union Territory.

The Srinagar-Jammu highway, which connects the Valley with the rest of the country, remained closed for the third consecutive day as flash floods, landslides and shooting stones damaged the 250-km road at several places. Hundreds of trucks and private vehicles remained stranded on the highway, with passengers waiting for the road to reopen till late Thursday night.

The administration said the ongoing Amarnath, Mata Vaishno Devi, Shiv Khori and Machail pilgrimages would continue to remain suspended, advising pilgrims to stay at designated base camps and lodging centres.


In Kashmir, the river Jhelum and its tributaries, including the Lidder and Vishow, were flowing above the danger mark for most of the day, and some low-lying areas were submerged. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department is closely monitoring the situation and has advised people to exercise utmost caution.

According to the Meteorological Department, the ongoing spell of rain over south Kashmir and adjoining areas is likely to continue intermittently till Friday afternoon, after which conditions are expected to improve gradually. However, another spell of wet weather is forecast across the region from July 28 to 31.

In Jammu, relentless rain, cloudbursts and flash floods over the past six days have claimed 26 lives, while six people remain missing. Rescue teams have intensified the search for the missing in the worst-hit border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, deploying additional personnel to scan flood channels and vulnerable areas.