Srinagar, Aug 24 : A heavy spell of monsoon rains has put Jammu and Kashmir under an orange alert, as flood-like conditions emerged across low-lying areas.
The India Meteorological Department has warned of continued rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across the Union Territory until at least August 27.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly those in vulnerable and flood-prone zones.
Reports of waterlogging have come in from multiple residential areas, prompting authorities to activate emergency response teams and restore essential services like water and electricity.
“Departments are on high alert, and restoration work is being prioritised where possible,” the CM’s office said in a statement.
The situation is particularly severe in the Kathua district, where a section of the Jammu–Pathankot National Highway was washed away near Logate Morh due to the swelling Sahar Khad nallah.
Authorities have redirected traffic through an alternate route.Meanwhile, major roadblocks were reported in Kishtwar and Bandipora due to landslides, affecting the Kishtwar–Padder and Gurez–Bandipora roads. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams are working to clear the debris and reopen routes.
All districts in the UT including Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Doda, and Katra have been placed under the orange alert. Forecasts predict moderate to heavy rain (5–15 mm/hr), thunderstorms, and wind speeds of up to 40 kmph in these areas.
In Ladakh, regions like Leh, Kargil, and Nubra Valley remain under a yellow alert, with expectations of light to moderate rainfall and possible snow in higher reaches.
District administrations, especially in Ramban, Kishtwar, and Jammu, have issued advisories asking people to avoid water bodies, stay clear of landslide-prone zones, and prepare emergency kits. Locals in high-risk areas have been encouraged to coordinate with officials to identify safer locations.(KNS)
