Srinagar: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast widespread rain and thunderstorms across Jammu and Kashmir from July 11, warning of heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides and mudslides at isolated places, particularly in the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal range, even as parts of Poonch witnessed flash floods on Friday and the Union Territory continued to experience unusually hot and humid weather.
According to the MeT Centre, many places across Jammu and Kashmir are likely to witness one or two spells of rain and thundershowers on July 11 and 12, with isolated heavy rainfall or brief intense showers expected, especially during afternoon and early morning hours in the Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal region.
The weather office warned that heavy rain could trigger flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at vulnerable locations. People have been advised to stay away from rivers, nallahs, streams and landslide-prone areas during periods of intense rainfall.
The forecast indicates that weather conditions will remain generally hot and humid from July 13 to 16, with scattered rain and thundershowers and isolated intense showers, mainly over parts of the Jammu division. Another spell of light to moderate rain is expected across many areas of Jammu and Kashmir between July 17 and 19.
The warning comes as flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall inundated the Ari area of Mendhar subdivision in Poonch district on Friday, damaging several houses and leaving dozens of people stranded.
Police, assisted by local residents, launched a rescue operation and safely evacuated at least 25 people, including children, after floodwaters entered residential areas.
Officials said nearly half a dozen houses suffered partial damage, while the road connecting Ari village remained blocked for nearly an hour due to debris and overflowing water.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Imran Rashid and SDPO Touseef Ahmed visited the affected area to supervise rescue and relief operations. Authorities said the situation was under close watch and urged residents living near rivers and flood-prone areas to remain vigilant.
Meanwhile, temperatures remained well above normal across most parts of Kashmir Valley on Friday.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 34.5°C, which was 4.8°C above normal, making it one of the hottest days of the season. Qazigund recorded 32.0°C, Kupwara 33.0°C, Kokernag 31.0°C, Pahalgam 28.0°C, and Gulmarg 24.9°C, all above their normal temperatures.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city also recorded 34.5°C, while Banihal recorded 29.9°C, Batote 27.2°C, Bhaderwah 30.6°C, and Katra 31.0°C. Leh in Ladakh recorded a maximum temperature of 23.4°C.
Despite intermittent rainfall during June, Jammu and Kashmir continued to record below-normal precipitation, with official data showing a 24 per cent rainfall deficit, marking the eighth consecutive month of deficient rainfall since November 2025.
The Union Territory received 57.9 mm of rainfall against the normal 75.9 mm during June.
According to weather experts, although June ended with a rainfall deficit, the month witnessed frequent spells of light to moderate showers that improved soil moisture, groundwater recharge and stream flows, making the rainfall distribution more beneficial than isolated heavy downpours.
District-wise data showed Baramulla (34%), Poonch (37%), Ganderbal (24%), Samba (22%), Pulwama (9%) and Udhampur (6%) recorded rainfall surplus during June.
However, Shopian (69% deficit), Kishtwar (70%), Kulgam (53%), Rajouri (51%), Reasi (44%), Kathua (39%), Budgam (31%), Srinagar (29%) and Bandipora (28%) were among the districts that witnessed significant rainfall deficits.
In Ladakh, June ended with a 126 per cent rainfall surplus. Leh recorded an exceptional 198 per cent surplus, while Kargil registered a 69 per cent rainfall deficit.
Weather experts cautioned that despite the recent spells of rain improving local water availability, the continuation of an eight-month-long precipitation deficit remains a matter of concern for water resources, agriculture and overall hydrological conditions if the trend continues in the coming months.
