Srinagar, Jul 1: An active weather system, triggered by the interaction of a moisture-laden western disturbance with advancing southwest monsoon currents, battered parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, triggering cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides while bringing an abrupt end to the Valley's five-day heat spell.
The worst-hit areas were in the Chenab Valley's Doda district, where two cloudbursts struck Kalalgisar and Seru villages in the Bhalessa belt following heavy afternoon rain.
Flash floods swept through the area, dumping debris on roads, snapping connectivity to several villages and increasing the risk of landslides.
Officials reported no casualties.
Authorities said road restoration would begin once weather conditions improve.
The district administration advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel through vulnerable areas as continuous rainfall had heightened the risk of landslides and shooting stones.
Damage to infrastructure was being assessed.
Heavy rainfall was recorded across much of the Jammu region during the past 24 hours, with Samba receiving 62.5 mm, Jammu city 35.8 mm, Kathua 23.8 mm, Rajouri 19.6 mm, and Katra 12 mm.
Localised downpours also triggered flash floods and landslides in parts of the Chenab Valley and PirPanjal region.
In south Kashmir, flash floods inundated Mir Mohalla in Guridraman village of the Larnoo area in Anantnag district, where a government primary school was flooded while classes were underway.
Local residents evacuated students before water entered the building.
Officials reported no injuries.
Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and civil administration teams reached the spot, while the extent of damage to the school was being assessed.
Another spell of heavy rain flooded parts of the Aishmuqam market and the shrine of HazratZainuddinWali (RA), while showers lashed the hill resort Pahalgam and the upper reaches of Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian.
Rainfall was also reported in higher reaches of Budgam, Ganderbal and parts of north Kashmir, while the plains remained largely overcast with intermittent light rain and gusty winds.
The wet spell brought relief from the intense heat that had gripped Kashmir over the previous five days.
Srinagar's maximum temperature dropped to 31.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday after touching 35.5 degrees on Monday and 35.3 degrees on Tuesday.
Kupwara recorded 32.7 degrees, Qazigund 31.4 degrees, Kokernag 31 degrees, Pahalgam 25.6 degrees and Gulmarg 23.6 degrees.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded 31.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Katra at 30.6 degrees, Bhaderwah at 30 degrees, Banihal at 29.1 degrees and Batote at 28.3 degrees.
Meteorological Department Director Mukhtar Ahmad said the interaction between the western disturbance and southwest monsoon currents would keep weather conditions unstable across Jammu and Kashmir through July 5.
"Widespread light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected across Jammu and Kashmir. A few places may witness intense showers accompanied by gusty winds, lightning and isolated hailstorms," Ahmad said.
He said the wet spell would keep daytime temperatures below recent levels and warned that heavy showers could trigger localised flash floods, waterlogging, mudslides and shooting stones along vulnerable highways and hill roads, while gusty winds and lightning could disrupt transport and outdoor activities.
“The weather system would gradually weaken after July 5, resulting in hot and humid conditions again although isolated showers and thundershowers are likely to continue until July 8,” Ahmad said.
