Srinagar, July 1 (KNS): The southwest monsoon made an active onset over Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, bringing widespread rain that triggered flash floods, cloudbursts and a rise in water levels across several districts, while forecasters warned of more intense showers and the possibility of fresh weather-related incidents over the coming days.
One of the major incidents was reported from Guridraman village in the Larnoo area of Anantnag district, where a flash flood struck after heavy afternoon rain.
The sudden rush of water caused panic as several students were inside a local school. Villagers safely evacuated the children before police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and civil administration teams reached the area to monitor the situation and assess any damage.
Another cloudburst was reported in the remote Tulail Valley of Gurez in north Kashmir's Bandipora district.
Officials said the cloudburst occurred over the Zadigay Nallah near Zadigay village, sending a torrent of water downstream that damaged the Kilshay-Zadigay road and disrupted connectivity. The water level in the Kishanganga Nallah also rose sharply, prompting authorities to keep a close watch on the situation.
In the Chenab Valley, two cloudbursts hit Kalalgisar village in Doda district's Bhalessa region following heavy rainfall. Officials said the situation was being monitored and no loss of life had been reported.
Continuous rain also caused rivers and seasonal streams to swell in Rajouri district. The district administration advised residents living near rivers, nallahs and low-lying areas to remain vigilant and move to safer places if water levels increased further.
Several parts of south Kashmir, including Pahalgam, Ashmuqam and adjoining areas, received widespread rainfall during the day, ending the prolonged heatwave and bringing a noticeable drop in temperatures.
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Weather stations had earlier forecast rain and thundershowers across large parts of Ganderbal, Bandipora, Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam, Poonch, Baramulla, Uri, Doda, Kishtwar and along the Banihal-Ramban axis.
They had also warned that brief spells of intense rain over Poonch, Budgam, the Ganderbal-Kangan-Sonamarg-Zojila axis, Pahalgam, Shopian, Kulgam and the Banihal-Ramban corridor could trigger localized flash floods, mudslides and landslides.
The active spell coincided with the southwest monsoon advancing over the entire Jammu and Kashmir-Ladakh meteorological subdivision on Wednesday. During the past 24 hours, Samba received the highest rainfall at 62.5 mm, followed by Jammu with 35.8 mm, Kathua with 23.8 mm and Rajouri with 19.6 mm.
Forecasts indicate generally cloudy weather with light to moderate rain at many places between July 2 and July 4, while heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds are likely at isolated locations, particularly in the Jammu division, the Pir Panjal range, the Chenab Valley and adjoining parts of south Kashmir.
Weather experts attributed the prevailing conditions to the interaction of active monsoon winds with successive weak western disturbances, saying the combination could produce short-duration heavy rainfall and isolated cloudbursts. Authorities have advised residents, tourists and trekkers to avoid rivers, nallahs and landslide-prone areas and follow official advisories until the weather improves.(KNS).