Monsoon gathers steam, advances into Punjab
Landslides in upper Jammu region; rivers, canals near danger level
CHANDIGARH: After a lull of eight days, the southwest monsoon picked up pace on Wednesday and advanced into Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.
The weather department forecast heavy rain in parts of Punjab and Haryana on Thursday.
“Conditions are favourable for the advancement of the monsoon. The rains are likely to reach southern Punjab and south-western Haryana in the coming days,” said Surender Paul, director, Indian Meteorological Department, Chandigarh.
Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir also witnessed heavy rain.
Amritsar recorded the highest rainfall in Punjab at 152.9 mm followed by Una (78.2 mm) and Dharamshala (62.8 mm). Jammu recorded 55.1 mm of rainfall, while Shimla got 50 mm. Chandigarh received 27.8 mm of rainfall.
Temperatures in Jammu region and Himachal Pradesh was lowered as heavy rains lashed several parts of the region on Wednesday. Normal life was thrown out of gear in the upper reaches of the Jammu region due to landslides, flash floods and waterlogging.
Continuous rain resulted in waterlogging in many low-lying areas of Jammu city. Besides, many canals and rivers in the region are flowing near the danger mark. Power supply too remained erratic as rain damaged power installations.
JAMMU-SRINAGAR HIGHWAY CLOSED
The Jammu-Srinagar highway was closed due to landslides at Mehar and shooting stone at Panthal for nearly five hours. However, the authorities were able to clear the highway by late Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, vehicular traffic on the road link connecting Batote and Doda region to Kishtwar and Baderwah has been also affected due to landslides.
VAISHNO DEVI CHOPPER SERVICE SUSPENDED
Heavy downpour and fog around the cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi forced authorities to suspend the chopper services from base camp at Katra to Sanjichat. Besides this, two pilgrims were injured when they were trapped in a landslide near Banganga.
Owing to safety and security of the pilgrims the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has suspended the yatra from the alternate track from Ardh Kuwari, but the yatra through the traditional track is on.
Jammu received 53mm of rainfall on Wednesday and recorded a maximum temperature of 28.1 degrees Celsius, seven degrees below the normal. The meteorological department has predicted light to moderate rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir in next 24 hours.
BODY WASHED AWAY IN FLASH FLOODS
The body of a a 14-year-old boy who died earlier due to snake bite was washed away by flash floods in Ujh river in Kathua.
When the family was about to consign his body to flame, the water level in the adjoining Ujh river suddenly rose due to flash floods in the upper regions. The gushing river washed away the body which was recovered later from the Panjthirthi area of Billawar tehsil.
HIMACHAL FACES THE BRUNT
Various parts of Himachal Pradesh received moderate to heavy rainfall on Wednesday. This include Shimla, Solan, Sirmour, Una, Kangra, Chamba, Mandi, Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts of the state. The meteorological department had predicted heavy rainfall in Kangra, Chamba and Sirmour districts.
Around 13mm rainfall was recorded across the state on Wednesday. This is 36% above the normal level. The MeT department has forecast light to moderate rains for the next 5-7 days across the state. Shimla MeT centre director Manmohan Singh said, “Heavy rains are unlikely in the next 48 hours. However, many places across the state will receive moderate rainfall.”