SRINAGAR — Torrential monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across Jammu and Kashmir, triggering flash floods, landslides, and school closures in multiple districts reported. The relentless downpour claimed the lives of two civilians, a student, and a pilgrim in the past 24 hours due to landslips, according to officials.
In response to the severe weather, authorities shuttered all educational institutions in Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi districts, where heavy rainfall has caused significant disruption. The District Magistrate of Rajouri issued a directive to close all government and private schools, citing dangerous conditions. In Samba, officials urged residents to avoid landslide-prone roads and stay clear of swollen streams and rivulets. Schools operating in unsafe buildings were also instructed to suspend classes.
The rainfall has led to surging water levels in the Dharhali and Saktoh rivers, threatening low-lying areas with flooding. A tragic landslip in Bainch Kalsan, Poonch, killed a five-year-old student, while another landslip near Vaishno Devi in Reasi’s Katra claimed a pilgrim’s life on July 21, The Hindu noted. The Jammu-Poonch highway was closed that night due to the hazardous conditions.
In the Kashmir valley, the Meteorological Department issued alerts for north, central, and south Kashmir, warning of potential flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas, including Banihal, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua, Doda, and Kishtwar. The department also advised suspending shikara boat rides and boating on water bodies like Dal Lake and Wular Lake due to intense rain and gusty winds.
The J&K administration has mobilized disaster response teams to remain on high alert. The Meteorological Department forecasts intermittent light to moderate rain with heavy showers possible until July 24. The region is grappling with the increasing impact of mainland monsoon conditions, exacerbating the challenges posed by the ongoing wet spell, reported.
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