NH-44 shut; Jhelum records brief rise
Srinagar, Jul 24: Weather conditions improved across most parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday after nearly a week of heavy rainfall that triggered flash floods, landslides, highway closure and widespread disruption, even as the Meteorological Department (MeT) forecast another wet spell from July 28 and authorities said the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) remained closed due to landslides and shooting stones.
The River Jhelum, which had been receding through most of the day, recorded a fresh rise at key gauge stations by Friday evening. However, the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department said the overall decreasing trend remained intact and urged people not to panic.
According to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, weather has improved across most places after the prolonged rainfall event, with only brief spells of rain and thundershowers expected over the next few days before a fresh spell of rainfall affects Jammu and Kashmir from July 28.
Rainfall data for July 19-24 showed Reasi received the highest cumulative rainfall in the Union Territory at 473.2 mm, followed by Udhampur (417.5 mm), Rajouri (349.9 mm), Ramban (293.4 mm), Poonch (290 mm), Kathua (270.4 mm), Jammu (262.6 mm) and Samba (213 mm). In Kashmir, Kulgam recorded the highest rainfall at 201.1 mm, followed by Shopian (145.2 mm), Srinagar (144.7 mm), Pulwama (136.8 mm) and Anantnag (130.8 mm).
The latest update follows the major wet spell between July 19 and July 23, when heavy rainfall triggered flash floods, landslides, inundation of low-lying areas, damage to roads and public infrastructure, repeated closure of NH-44 and suspension of the annual Amarnath Yatra for nearly a week.
Traffic authorities said the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained closed on Friday afternoon as restoration work continued at multiple locations affected by landslides and shooting stones. Commuters were advised to avoid travel until the road is declared safe and to rely only on official traffic advisories.
Meanwhile, the I&FC Department said the water level at Ram Munshi Bagh stood at 18.96 feet on Friday evening, above the flood declaration mark of 18 feet but below the danger mark of 21 feet. The Sangam gauge also recorded a fresh increase to 19.77 feet, while Pampore remained stable at 5.09 metres.
Further downstream, water levels also rose at Asham and Wular Lake, though both remained below their respective flood declaration levels. Among the tributaries, Vishow Nallah at Khudwani and Lidder Nallah at Batkoot receded, while Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi remained stable.
Officials said moderate to heavy rainfall over the southern catchment of the Jhelum basin during the morning had slowed the river’s recession, but maintained that the overall trend continued to be one of decline. They urged people to remain vigilant, avoid rumours and follow only official advisories.
Independent weather forecasters also warned that intermittent rain could continue in parts of Jammu and Kashmir through the night, with isolated heavy showers capable of triggering localised flash floods, landslides, shooting stones and sudden rises in streams and nallahs.
The MeT Department has advised residents, particularly those living in flood- and landslide-prone areas, to remain alert and closely monitor official weather updates as rainfall activity is expected to intensify again from July 28.
