Torrential rains for the third day in a row have devastated some areas of Jammu, claiming at least 3 lives, with red alerts being declared in a number of regions. Persistent rains have raised the levels of major rivers to very near danger levels, and the landslides/mudslides caused by rain have resulted in the shutting of major roads, including the lifeline Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called a high-level meeting in Jammu to review flood mitigation measures. He urged officials to stay on red alert and make sure that they respond fast in case of an emergency. In an X-posting, Abdullah said that he realised the gravity of the situation in the rest of the state of Jammu and would personally visit Jammu to oversee the situation. He has also released more money to be used by deputy commissioners in carrying out restoration as well as in facing emergencies.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also declared red alert in many of the districts such as Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Kulgam, Kishtwar, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda and Mirpur. Authorities have stated that the water level in the Taranah, Ujh, Ravi, Maggar Khad and Sahar Khad rivers, and the tributaries thereof in Kathua are also increasing ever so dangerously. In Udhampur, the Tawi river has already passed the 20-foot danger level, whereas in Jammu, it is still flowing above the level of alert. The Chenab River is also said to be nearing the warning level.
As the weather further deteriorated, the Shri Vaishno Devi yatra in Katra has also been temporarily halted to manage the safety of the pilgrims.
In the adjacent Punjab, the effects of the deluge rains are also being felt. As a result of the heavy rainfall last week and the subsequent rise in river level in the Ravi and the Beas catchment zones, school holidays have been declared in vulnerable regions, the Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, and SBS Nagar district administrations announced.
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