Srinagar: The Kashmir administration on Tuesday placed all departments on high alert and activated round-the-clock control rooms across the Valley in view of the adverse weather forecast, with Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir Anshul Garg saying the entire administrative machinery has been mobilised to respond swiftly to any emergency.
Speaking to reporters in Kulgam, Garg said district administrations, disaster management authorities, police, emergency services and other line departments have been directed to maintain close coordination and remain fully prepared to deal with any weather-related situation.
“All departments have been put on high alert and asked to remain prepared. We have activated 24×7 control rooms across Kashmir to monitor the situation and ensure a prompt response wherever required,” he said.
The Divisional Commissioner said field officers have been instructed to maintain constant surveillance in vulnerable areas and take timely preventive measures to minimise any loss of life or damage to property.
With heavy rainfall continuing in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, authorities have again urged people to avoid rivers, nallahs and flood-prone areas and to strictly follow official advisories until weather conditions improve.
Fresh Weather Advisory Issued
The district administrations of Srinagar and Budgam on Tuesday issued fresh weather advisories, urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid vulnerable areas after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast heavy to intense rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir until July 23.
According to an advisory issued by the Office of the District Magistrate, Srinagar, the alert is in continuation of the weather advisory issued on July 19. The Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, has predicted heavy to intense rainfall over the next two days, prompting the administration to step up precautionary measures across the district.
Residents, particularly those living in high-altitude and landslide-prone areas including Lidwas, Dagwan, Mamnaith Top, Mulnar, Fakir Gujri, Harwan, Gandtal, Dara and Astanmarg, have been advised to remain alert and shift to safer locations if they notice rising water levels, landslides or any other imminent threat.
The administration also advised tourists, visitors and Shikara operators to suspend boating and recreational activities on Dal and Nigeen lakes during the weather alert to prevent any untoward incidents. Sand miners operating along the River Jhelum and other water bodies have been directed not to undertake mining or river-crossing activities unless weather conditions and water levels are confirmed to be safe.
To facilitate emergency response, the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC), Srinagar, has activated dedicated WhatsApp helplines at 9103998355, 9103998356 and 9103998357, while the Police Control Room (PCR), Srinagar, can be contacted on 0194-2477567.
Meanwhile, the Budgam district administration issued a similar advisory asking residents to avoid venturing near rivers, nallahs and landslide-prone areas due to heavy water flow and the prevailing adverse weather conditions.
The administration urged people to exercise extreme caution and refrain from visiting vulnerable locations until the weather situation improves, citing the risk of rising water levels and landslides in several parts of the district.
Residents requiring assistance have been asked to contact the Budgam district control room on 01951-295223, 9186008200, 9320647794 or 9469481342.
Both district administrations appealed to the public to remain vigilant, follow official advisories and cooperate with authorities to ensure public safety during the ongoing spell of adverse weather.
Landslides Disrupt Traffic On NH-44
Fresh landslides and mudslides triggered by incessant rainfall disrupted traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway on Tuesday, with restoration work underway at several vulnerable locations as heavy monsoon showers continued across the Jammu region.
Officials said continuous rainfall in Udhampur and Ramban districts triggered mudslides and shooting stones at multiple locations along the highway, particularly near Sharda Mata Mandir and Thara, affecting traffic movement and posing a risk to commuters.
Road clearance teams, assisted by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), traffic police and other agencies, were deployed to remove debris and restore smooth movement on the strategic highway. Authorities advised commuters to check the latest traffic updates before undertaking their journey.
Meanwhile, a separate landslide was reported in the Nograta Saldhar area of Rajouri district, where continuous rainfall caused mud and rocks to slide onto roads, disrupting local connectivity. No casualties were reported.
The incidents come amid a weather alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has forecast very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, flash floods and landslides in several districts of the Jammu region, including Jammu, Reasi, Udhampur, Poonch, Rajouri, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban.
Authorities have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly through landslide-prone stretches and hilly roads, and advised residents to stay away from rivers, streams and other flood-prone areas while following advisories issued by district administrations and disaster management authorities.
The ongoing wet spell has caused widespread damage across parts of Jammu and Kashmir over the past few days, with flash floods, landslides and cloudbursts damaging houses, roads, bridges, agricultural land and other public infrastructure.
Emergency response agencies remain on alert, while restoration teams continue to monitor vulnerable locations to ensure the timely reopening of roads and the safety of commuters
