Srinagar, Jun 19 (KNO): Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed rain and thunderstorms on Friday afternoon as the Meteorological Department forecast more wet weather over the next few days and warned of possible flash floods, mudslides and hailstorms in vulnerable areas.
According to the MeT Centre Srinagar, a spell of rain and thundershowers affected many places across Kashmir division and parts of Jammu division, including Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Reasi and Udhampur.
The weather office told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that some areas experienced brief intense showers accompanied by thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds. Similar conditions were reported along the Sonamarg-Baltal-Holy Cave axis and the Pahalgam-Holy Cave axis, the two routes leading to the annual Amarnath Yatra.
The department cautioned that intense showers in parts of south and central Kashmir and districts such as Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar could trigger flash floods and mudslides in vulnerable locations.
It advised people to remain indoors during thunderstorms and lightning activity, avoid standing near electric poles, wires, old trees and other vulnerable structures, and suspend boating and shikara operations during adverse weather conditions.
For the coming days, the MeT Department has forecast generally cloudy weather with intermittent spells of light rain, brief intense showers, thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds at many places across Jammu and Kashmir from June 20 to June 22.
From June 23 to June 26, weather conditions are expected to remain partly to generally cloudy, with light rain, brief showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds likely at isolated to scattered places, it said.
The department has also warned of the possibility of hailstorms at isolated locations during the next four days and advised residents to stay away from streams and nallahs due to the risk of sudden water level rise following intense rainfall.
Farmers have been advised to undertake orchard spraying during the early morning hours when weather conditions remain relatively stable, the MeT office said—(KNO)