Rain, hailstorm lash J&K; MeT warns of flash floods

Jammu Tawi, Aug 14: Hailstorm accompanied by intense rain lashed several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, damaging orchards in parts of Shopian district, while flash floods hit Pahalgam after a spell of heavy showers.

According to the details, the hailstorm, with hailstones reportedly measuring around 2-3 cm or more in some areas, caused damage to fruit crops across parts of Shopian, with orchardists reporting significant losses.

Meanwhile, Flash floods were also reported from Pahalgam following an intense spell of rain. Nallah Awoora overflowed, washing away a makeshift road constructed in the Awoora area. The same route had earlier been washed away during a cloudburst.

Pertinently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Srinagar had earlier issued a warning for several areas, forecasting heavy rain and brief intense showers over Anantnag, Pahalgam, Tral, Pulwama, Kulgam, Banihal-Ramban and Shopian.

The warning, issued at 2:46 pm, remained valid until 5:46 pm and cautioned that the intense showers could trigger flash floods, landslides and mudslides, particularly in Pahalgam, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag and Ramban districts.

The Meteorological Centre Srinagar said rain was recorded over many parts of Rajouri, Shopian, Kulgam, eastern parts of Srinagar, Anantnag, Banihal-Ramban, Kishtwar and adjoining areas.

It predicted that the ongoing spell of rain and thundershowers could continue over many places, with brief intense heavy showers likely over Ganderbal, eastern Srinagar, the Hazratbal-Zakura axis, Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag, Tral, hilly areas of Ganderbal, Ramban, Udhampur, Reasi, Doda and Kishtwar during the following three to five hours.

The weather office warned that intense showers could generate localised flash floods, mudslides and landslides in hilly areas. It also cautioned of possible shooting stones and landslides at some vulnerable locations.

In the past 24 hours, significant rainfall was recorded at several stations, with Kathua receiving 62.4 mm, Bhaderwah 62.2 mm and Reasi ARG 34.5 mm, according to the Meteorological Centre.

The weather office said a spell of rain and thundershowers was expected at many places on Friday, with brief intense showers likely towards the afternoon.

On Saturday, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected at many places of Jammu and Kashmir during the late night and early morning hours, followed by another brief spell towards the afternoon.

From August 16 to 19, several spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at many places, with heavy rain or brief intense heavy showers possible in some districts during the early morning and afternoon hours.

The Meteorological Centre has warned of the possibility of heavy rain and brief intense heavy showers in some districts of the Jammu division during this period, along with brief intense showers in one or two districts of the Kashmir division.

Such torrential or intense showers could trigger flash floods, landslides, mudslides and waterlogging in low-lying areas, it said.

From August 20 to 22, light rain and thundershowers are expected at scattered places across Jammu and Kashmir.