Heavy rains create flood-like situation Jammu; many rivers breach danger mark

Traffic on the JammuSrinagar national highway was suspended while authorities ordered the closure of schools in Doda and Kishtwar districts as heavy rains lashed the Jammu region creating a floodlike situation at many places officials said on WednesdayThey said rivers and rivulets in many places especially in Kathua and Samba districts have reached close to or crossed the flood alert levelThe weather office has predicted more rains in the regionHeavy rains lashed wide parts of Jammu division overnight triggering mudslides and landslides at several places along the JammuSrinagar national highway in Ramban district forcing authorities to suspend traffic the officials saidThe highway is still blocked and people are advised not to travel till the restoration work is completed a traffic department official saidThe officials said the traffic on the JammuPathankot highway was also diverted in Kathua district where two pillars of a bridge suffered damages due to flash floods in Tarnah nallahThey said all government and private schools were closed for the day in Doda and Kishtwar districts as a precautionary measureThe decision was taken for the safety of the students as the water level in the Chenab river and its tributaries is on the rise amid continuous rainfall they addedKatra the base camp for pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi shrine received 3154 mm rainfall an all time high a spokesperson of the meteorological department saidThis is the heaviest rainfall since 1980 he saidThe chopper and battery car service at the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop Trikuta hills in Reasi district was also suspended due to the inclement weather the officials saidWhile the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage is going on smoothly the new battery car track to the shrine was closed in view of the apprehension of shooting of stones and landslide the officials saidThey said the helicopter service to the shrine was also suspended due to inclement weatherRivers and rivulets in many places especially in Kathua and Samba districts have reached close to or crossed the flood alert level with the weather office predicting more rains till noonThe flood situation is grim in Kathua and Samba as all the rivers including Ujh in Kathua and Basantar have crossed flood alert mark while the water level in Tawi Chenab and its tributaries in Jammu are nearing the flood alert level an official saidThe Indian Meteorological Department IMD has predicted widespread to fairly widespread rainfall in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir over the next seven daysMohinder Singh Head of IMD Centre Jammu said the Union Territory will receive widespread to fairly widespread rainfall in the coming weekThere was heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir The highest amount of rainfall occurred in the Katra belt of Reasi district he saidThe recorded rainfall in Katra was 3154 mm categorised as extremely heavy Singh saidThis is the highest recorded rainfall in the region in 43 years he saidThe IMD official advised the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to adhere to the guidelines provided at their respective base campsThey should follow the weather reports and advisories of the administration before undertaking the yatra he saidThe IMD also has predicted the possibility of flash floods in lowlying areas of Jammu and KashmirIn an advisory police said due to continuous heavy rainfall the Chadwal bridge on the JammuPathankot national highway has been closed for trafficDear residents and passengers of Kathua Due to the recent and continuous heavy rains in the area we are sorry to inform you that the Chadwal bridge has been damaged In consequence this creates a potential threat to all vehicles and pedestrians trying to cross it the advisory saidFloods in Taranah nallah caused damages to the pillars of the bridge resulting in its slight sinking it saidPlease follow diversion and temporary routes These routes are designed to facilitate smooth traffic flow and reduce discomfort the advisory saidPolice also asked the people to report suspicious activitiesIf you see any suspicious activities on the roads or encounter potential threats please inform the nearest police station immediately the advisory saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever