Srinagar, Sept 03: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday reviewed the situation arising from incessant rains that have swelled rivers and streams across the Union Territory.
Authorities announced the closure of schools and colleges across the Kashmir Valley for the day, as the weather department has forecast more rainfall over the next 24 hours.
The Jammu-Srinagar national highway is among 11 roads closed in the Jammu region on Wednesday following landslides and mudslides triggered by heavy rains, leaving over 2,000 vehicles stranded en route, even as the rail traffic in the Jammu railway division remained suspended, along with the shuttle services of four trains that were introduced to help locals and stranded passengers travel between Jammu and Katra.
As the water level continues to rise in the swollen River Tawi in Jammu city, authorities have launched a multi-agency operation to shore up embankments near the damaged fourth bridge to prevent flooding in the low-lying areas.
Heavy rain in Jammu had damaged the road near the fourth Tawi bridge, causing vehicles to get stuck on the broken stretch on August 26. If this area is breached, there will be a huge problem. Civil administration, police, and army are engaged in an operation to prevent it here, with senior officials monitoring the situation personally.
The chief minister chaired a meeting this morning to assess the situation, the CM’s office said in a post on X.
Abdullah directed the administration to intensify the ground response, ensure clearance of waterlogged areas, safeguard essential services, carry out timely evacuations in critical zones, and provide immediate relief.
“Hon’ble Ministers @JavedRanaa and @satishsharmajnk briefed on the situation in Jammu, while Hon’ble Minister @sakinaitoo and Advisor to the CM @nasirsogami provided updates on the situation in Kashmir. The Chief Minister appealed to the people to follow advisories, avoid vulnerable spots, and stay safe,” the CM’s office said.
Although the Jhelum river and its tributaries are flowing significantly below the danger mark, water levels in parts of south and central Kashmir, including Srinagar, have risen sharply since the rainfall began on Tuesday, officials said.
The Irrigation and Flood Control Department said water gauges are rising and may increase further due to continued rainfall.
“All the concerned authorities are requested to remain alert and take necessary measures. The general public is advised not to venture close to water bodies and exercise caution. All officers assigned flood duties must immediately report to their posts,” the department said in a post on X.
The heavy downpour over the past 24 hours also led to the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) due to landslides, shooting stones, and waterlogging at multiple locations.
“The highway has been closed for all types of vehicular traffic,” officials said.
The men and machines of multiple clearance organisations are battling heavy rains and flashfloods to clear the highways and roads in the region to make them trafficable.
Besides this, important highways, including the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch highway, Batote-Doda-Kishtwar highway, Simthan-Anantnag road and Mughal Road are shut for traffic in view of landslides and as a precautionary measure amid heavy rains.
“The Jammu-Srinagar highway, Mughal Road, Sonamarg-Srinagar-Gumari road, and Sinthan road are closed for vehicular movement due to landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones at several places,” J-K traffic police said.
They advised people not to undertake journeys on these roads until the weather improves and restoration work is completed.
The Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch National Highway is closed since Tuesday night at Chowki Choura near Kandi tunnel, they said.
Over 300 vehicles are stranded due to the damaged road surface, they added.
Efforts are on to restore the highway to reconnect Rajouri and Poonch besides facilitating the movement of essential services, they said. The Batote-Doda-Kishtwar highway is also closed following landslides in the Pul Doda area, resulting in stranding of several vehicles, they said.
Similarly, the Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag highway is closed for vehicular movement, they said, adding Mughal Road has also been shut. Besides this, nine inter-district roads in Kathua, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban and Reasi are shut due to landslides and falling boulders, they said.
