The flood scare in Jammu and Kashmir has not taken a back-seat yet as river Jhelum has again crossed the danger level mark. Heavy rains lashed Srinagar last night and still continues, causing panic among the residents of the state. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has now again been closed for traffic due to fresh landslides leaving over 500 passengers stranded.
The water of the Dal Lake in Srinagar has also been overflowing and has reached the houses of the nearby residents. The tourism industry and crops together have suffered a total damage of Rs. 1400 crores due to heavy rains and flood.
Some areas of Jammu and Kashmir observed heavy rainfall including Banihal (43.6 mm), Batote (52.4 mm), Katra (20.3 mm), Kokernag (20.5 mm), Kupwara (27 mm), Pahalgam (27 mm) and Srinagar (13.5 mm). However, the weather conditions are expected to show an improvement and rainfall may not be heavy, but the remnant of the system will keep giving rain to the region. The eastern half of Jammu and Kashmir including the Leh and Ladakh are expected to witness more weather activities than the Kashmir valley.
River Tawi has also been flowing above the danger mark. However, with the intensity of rain, the levels will come down causing no damage at all. Even the hilly tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh have witnessed rain. Kullu received 25 mm of rain and Manali recorded 34 mm of rainfall. However, Shimla only received 7.1 mm rain.
(Image Source: Indian Express)
