SRINAGAR: Two cloudbursts struck south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Saturday late evening, triggering flash floods in Shangus and Pahalgam, damaging agricultural land and inundating several huts and hotels, officials said.
The first cloudburst hit the upper reaches of Chatergul in the Shangus area, causing the Aaripath stream to swell rapidly. Floodwaters carrying mud and debris entered paddy fields, orchards and parts of nearby residential areas, damaging standing crops and causing concern among local residents.
About an hour later, another cloudburst struck the Overa Wildlife Sanctuary in the Pahalgam area, leading to a sudden surge in the Overa Nallah. The overflowing stream inundated several huts and hotels, triggering panic in the area. However, tourists staying at a hotel near the stream were reported safe, officials said.
Following the incidents, the district administration placed all concerned departments on alert. Rescue and monitoring teams were deployed to the affected areas to assess the damage and keep a close watch on vulnerable locations.
“There has been no report of any casualty so far. Damage assessment is underway at both locations,” an official said.
The administration has advised residents and visitors to stay away from rivers and streams, avoid venturing near the Aaripath and Overa Nallahs, and strictly follow official advisories in view of the prevailing weather conditions.
Meanwhile, intermittent light to moderate rain lashed several parts of Kashmir and the Jammu division from Saturday evening, bringing relief from the hot and humid conditions that prevailed during the day.
The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain and thundershowers across Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday. After a warm and humid day, weather conditions changed by evening as spells of rain and thundershowers affected many areas across the Valley and parts of the Jammu division, leading to a noticeable drop in temperatures.
Pahalgam receives highest rainfall at 42.6 Mm
Srinagar, July 12: The tourist resort of Pahalgam recorded the highest rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir during the last 24 hours, receiving 42.6 mm of precipitation, according to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar.
The heavy rainfall in Pahalgam, reportedly triggered by a localised cloudburst, struck the forest areas of Awoora and Dehwathu on Saturday evening, resulting in flash floods in a stream that flows through the area before joining the Lidder Nallah at Batkoot.
The floodwaters inundated at least half a dozen hotels. Several hotel buildings and residential houses also suffered damage.
Water levels in both the Sheshnag Nallah and the Lidder Nallah rose sharply following the downpour. However, officials said that both streams were flowing below their respective alarm levels.
Other weather stations that recorded significant rainfall in Kashmir include Sonamarg 21.0 mm, Gulmarg 11.8 mm and Baramulla 5.5 mm. Most other parts of the union territory recorded either light rainfall or dry weather during the period.
The Meteorological Department has forecast fairly widespread to scattered light rain and thunderstorms across Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, with isolated areas likely to witness brief intense showers.
According to the MeT Department, weather conditions from July 13 to 17 are expected to remain generally hot and humid, although scattered places are likely to experience brief spells of rain and thundershowers. Isolated locations in the Jammu division may witness short-duration but intense showers during this period.
The department has also predicted a fresh spell of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places across Jammu and Kashmir from July 18 to 20.
