Srinagar, July 20: The Meteorological Department on Monday issued a Red Alert for parts of Jammu and Kashmir, warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides and overflowing rivers over the next three days.
Director of the Meteorological Department, Mukhtar Ahmad, said an advisory had already been issued as weather activity intensified across the Union Territory, with the Pir Panjal range in the Jammu division expected to receive the heaviest rainfall.
“We have already issued an advisory regarding the current weather conditions and the increasing weather activity. Heavy rainfall and, at some places, very heavy rainfall are expected, especially in the Pir Panjal range of the Jammu division,” Mukhtar Ahmad said.
He said the Kashmir Valley also witnessed a heavy shower early Monday morning and more rainfall was expected over the coming days.
According to Ahmad, the Valley is likely to witness moderate to heavy showers on Tuesday, particularly during the early morning and morning hours. In the Jammu division, heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is forecast during the same period.
“There are chances of heavy to, at some places, extremely heavy rainfall,” Ahmad said.
He said rainfall activity would remain intense through Tuesday and Wednesday, with South Kashmir and adjoining areas likely to receive moderate to heavy showers.
“At some places, there could be brief but intense heavy showers, which we also describe as torrential rain,” Ahmad said.
Warning of possible weather-related disasters, Ahmad said intense rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying areas within a short period, besides increasing the risk of flash floods, overflowing rivers, landslides and mudslides, particularly in hilly districts.
“Such weather activity can trigger flooding in low-lying areas within a very short period. There are high chances of flash floods and rivers overflowing,” he said.
He urged tourists, transporters and residents to exercise caution and strictly follow official advisories issued by the administration.
“There are also high chances of landslides and mudslides in many districts, especially in hilly areas.
Therefore, people need to exercise extreme caution to avoid any untoward incidents,” Ahmad said.
The MeT Director also advised farmers to suspend irrigation and related agricultural activities for the next three to four days.
He said continuous rainfall over the past 48 hours had prompted the issuance of a Red Alert for some districts, while an Orange Alert had been issued for South Kashmir, adjoining areas and parts of North Kashmir.
“Overall, the weather will remain adverse across both the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu division until July 23, after which conditions are likely to subside,” Ahmad said.
