Srinagar, July 18 (JKNS): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday issued a major weather advisory, warning of an extended wet spell across Jammu and Kashmir from July 19 to July 23, with the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and disruption of surface transport, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
According to the advisory issued by the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, as per news agency JKNS, the weather system is being triggered by moisture incursion from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, coupled with the shifting of the western end of the Monsoon trough towards north of its normal position.
The IMD said widespread moderate rain and thundershowers are expected across Jammu and Kashmir during the period. While Kashmir division is likely to witness isolated heavy rainfall between July 21 and July 23, Jammu division is expected to receive scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall from July 20 to July 23, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall over Reasi and Udhampur districts.
The weather office warned that vulnerable areas along the Pir Panjal Range and higher reaches of Kashmir, including Anantnag, Pahalgam, Kulgam, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Gulmarg, Sonamarg-Zojila axis, Bandipora-Razdan Pass and Kupwara-Sadhna Pass, remain susceptible to landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and flash floods.
The advisory further stated that the weather system could disrupt road connectivity, particularly the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and other major roads in the middle and higher reaches of the Union Territory.
The IMD also cautioned about the possibility of torrential rain, cloudburst-like events, a significant rise in water levels of rivers, streams and sub-basins, besides waterlogging and minor flooding in low-lying areas.
Authorities have advised travellers and tourists to plan their journeys carefully in view of the expected adverse weather conditions.
Residents living in hilly and landslide-prone areas have been urged to avoid venturing onto vulnerable slopes during the forecast period.
The weather department has also advised farmers to suspend fertilizer application and chemical spraying activities until the wet spell subsides.
Meanwhile, the IMD said the spell is likely to bring a significant fall in day temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir over the coming days. (JKNS)
