Srinagar, August 11 — Jammu and Kashmir is bracing for another spell of unsettled weather, with heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast at a few places in the Jammu division on Tuesday, raising the risk of flash floods, landslides, mudslides and waterlogging in vulnerable areas.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast light to moderate rain and thundershowers at most places across Jammu and Kashmir till August 11, with weather activity expected to peak during the day and night on Tuesday.
In view of the forecast, traffic authorities have also advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel on vulnerable stretches of major highways, particularly during periods of intense rainfall.
The Meteorological Centre warned that torrential rain and brief spells of intense showers could trigger “flash floods and landslides at vulnerable locations”, besides causing mudslides and temporary waterlogging in low-lying areas.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely at a few places in the Jammu division, while brief spells of intense heavy showers may occur at isolated places in Kashmir. One or two locations could also receive heavy to very heavy rain during the night of August 11.
Weather to remain unsettled
The wet conditions are likely to continue beyond Tuesday, although the intensity is expected to vary.
The weather office has forecast light rain and thundershowers at many places from August 12 to 16, with brief spells of intense rainfall possible at isolated locations.
Another spell of light to moderate rain and thundershowers is expected across many areas from August 17 to 19, with isolated intense showers also possible.
The Meteorological Centre has advised residents, travellers and local authorities to remain cautious in vulnerable areas and stay alert to the possibility of flash floods, landslides and temporary waterlogging during periods of intense rainfall.
Traffic advisory amid rain forecast
The weather warning has prompted a separate advisory from traffic authorities, who have urged commuters to undertake journeys only after confirming road conditions with traffic control units.
According to the Traffic Police Headquarters, traffic remained slow between 4 pm on August 9 and 4 pm on August 10 because of single-lane and uneven road conditions at Dawal in Udhampur and along the Marog-Kishwat Pather stretch of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Traffic has been regulated at Dawal on NH-44, where only a 30-40 metre single-lane stretch is currently operational.
Passenger and light motor vehicle operators have been advised to plan their journeys on the Jammu-Srinagar highway during daylight hours and avoid night travel, particularly along the Ramban-Banihal section, where construction work is underway.
The traffic police also cautioned motorists about the possibility of shooting stones and landslides along the ongoing construction stretches between Ramban and Banihal.
Heavy goods vehicle operators carrying fresh and perishable goods have been asked to load their vehicles strictly according to instructions issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters.
The advisory has also been circulated through the traffic police’s social media platforms.
Meanwhile, weather remained largely dry across Jammu and Kashmir during the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Monday.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 33.2°C, which was 3.2°C above normal, while the minimum settled at 19.4°C.
Jammu recorded a maximum of 34.6°C, against a normal of 33.1°C, while the minimum temperature was 25.1°C.
Pahalgam recorded a maximum of 27.2°C and a minimum of 17°C, while Gulmarg recorded a high of 22.8°C and a low of 11.8°C.
