Kathua records season’s highest rainfall
Jammu: Heavy rains wreaked havoc across Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, claiming two lives and disrupting transport and agriculture.
A 12-year-old girl was killed in a landslide in Poonch, a man drowned near Baba Dhansar in Reasi, and two bogies of a goods train derailed due to flooding in Kathua district.
The region also recorded its highest rainfall of the season, particularly in Kathua, which received 174.8 mm in 24 hours.
The landslide struck Chak Bonalla area of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch district, where 12-year-old Afiya Kousar lost her life.
In a separate incident, Amit Kumar of Jammu drowned near Baba Dhansar in Reasi district. Rescue operations are underway at the site till the reports pour in.
In Kathua, torrential rains flooded railway tracks in Lakhanpur, causing a goods train en route to Punjab to derail. No injuries were reported, but rail traffic on the Jammu-Pathankot route was disrupted.
The heaviest rainfall was recorded in Kathua, where the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) confirmed the district had witnessed the highest precipitation so far this season.
The intense showers caused waterlogging, swelling of the Ujh river, and concerns of crop damage among farmers. KVK Kathua issued advisories urging farmers to drain excess water, support lodged crops, and monitor for diseases, especially in maize, paddy, oilseeds and pulses.
Dr. Vishal Mahajan, Head of KVK Kathua, warned that more rain is expected between July 14 and 17, and advised farmers to plan field operations accordingly.
The Meteorological Department reported significant rainfall across both Jammu and Kashmir regions, with Jammu city receiving 37.7 mm, Samba 96 mm, Gulmarg 12.6 mm, and Sonamarg 7.5 mm. Temperatures remained below normal throughout the day due to persistent cloud cover and showers.
The administration has placed multiple districts under alert and urged the public to avoid riverbanks, flood-prone zones, and unstable slopes. Emergency response teams have been mobilized across affected areas.
