Landslide hits Vaishno Devi track
Jammu Tawi, Jul 8: Rain and thundershowers lashed several districts of Jammu division on Wednesday evening, with brief intense spells triggering localized flash floods, mudslides and landslides in some areas.
Reports aid that Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Katra, Doda, Udhampur, Batote and parts of Ramban received Intense showers, which led to localized flash floods, mudslides and landslides, while people were advised to stay away from nallahs, streams and vulnerable slopes. The thunderstorm and flash flood has devastated Doda causing massive damage to civil property and vehicles. People are facing hardship due to disconnect and procurement of consumables and electricity failure in the affected areas.
In another incident, a landslide triggered by rains struck the Vaishno Devi yatra track atop Trikota hills in Reasi district on Wednesday evening, forcing the suspension of the battery car service, officials said.
The pilgrimage to the revered shrine remained unaffected, with hundreds of pilgrims continuing their to-and-fro trek despite the landslide, they said.
The officials said the landslide occurred near Himkoti on the new track leading to the shrine following heavy rainfall.
The Shrine Board immediately rushed men and machines to clear the debris from the route, they said.
The officials said the battery car service was temporarily suspended, while the yatra continued through the old route.
The showers disrupted life in many areas of Jammu region and in Kupwara District.
Meanwhile, the MeT office said that Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 33.2 degrees Celsius, 2.5 degrees above normal, while Jammu settled at 34.5 degrees Celsius, slightly below the seasonal average. Kupwara recorded 33.0 degrees Celsius, Qazigund 31.0 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 30.6 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 25.4 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg 23.4 degrees Celsius, Banihal 29.2 degrees Celsius, Batote 28.7 degrees Celsius, Katra 31.0 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah 27.0 degrees Celsius.
The minimum temperature stood at 19.6 degrees Celsius in Srinagar and 23.4 degrees Celsius in Jammu, while Pahalgam recorded 14.6 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg 11.0 degrees Celsius, according to the Meteorological Centre’s evening observations.
Shah speaks to Omar, assures Centre’s support
Jammu Tawi, Jul 8: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday spoke to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to review the situation arising from heavy rainfall in the Union Territory, officials said.
A top official said that Shah took stock of the weather-related situation and assured the Chief Minister of every possible assistance from the Centre to deal with any challenges caused by the rains.
Heavy rains across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir have affected normal life, with authorities on alert and taking necessary measures to ensure public safety and minimise disruptions.
