Heavy rainfall damages NH-244, disrupts Machail Yatra, buried vehicles near Kwar power project,
MeT warns of more heavy showers, landslides in vulnerable areas
Jammu: Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy overnight rainfall disrupted normal life in the Chenab Valley on Monday, blocking the Doda–Kishtwar National Highway, burying several vehicles under debris near the under-construction 540 MW Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project and affecting traffic, including the annual Machail Yatra.
Officials said heavy rainfall in the Doda district resulted in disruptions, particularly on National Highway-244 at Prem Nagar, where floodwaters carrying mud and debris have damaged the road and halted traffic. Restoration efforts are underway to clear the debris and reopen the highway, which is crucial for the ongoing Machail Yatra. Authorities have advised pilgrims and commuters to avoid the route until it is deemed safe. In the neighboring Kishtwar district, a major landslide triggered by the heavy rains affected the under-construction Kwar Hydroelectric Power Project, burying several parked vehicles under mud and debris. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries have been reported, and officials have initiated debris clearance operations to recover the trapped vehicles and restore normal traffic flow. The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has forecasted generally cloudy conditions with intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers across Jammu and Kashmir in the coming days. There is a possibility of heavy rainfall in certain areas, particularly in the Jammu division, which could lead to localized flash floods and landslides, especially in vulnerable regions like the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal range. The MeT department has issued warnings for the public to avoid streams and landslide-prone areas. Additionally, independent weather forecasters have indicated that the interaction of a weak Western Disturbance with active monsoon winds may result in sudden heavy showers, raising concerns for the Amarnath Yatra routes.
