Jammu: With humidity soaring and intermittent showers already affecting parts of the Jammu region, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a significant increase in rainfall activity across Jammu and Kashmir over the next few days, warning of heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas of the Jammu division.
The warning comes amid rising discomfort caused by high humidity across the plains of Jammu.
On Sunday, Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 37.6 degrees Celsius, around 1.6 degrees above normal, while the relative humidity ranged between 77 per cent in the morning and 60 per cent in the evening, making weather conditions particularly sultry despite intermittent rainfall.
Kathua remained the hottest place in the region at 38.2 degrees Celsius and also recorded the highest rainfall of 11.2 mm during the past 24 hours.
According to the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, fairly widespread light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms is expected across the Jammu division during the next 24 hours, while rainfall activity is likely to intensify between July 6 and July 8.
The weather office has warned that isolated places in Jammu division are likely to receive heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, with wind speeds likely to gust up to 60 kmph.
The department has cautioned that these conditions could trigger flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones, particularly along vulnerable stretches of highways and hilly districts including Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi, Udhampur, Rajouri and Poonch.
The forecast assumes added significance as thousands of pilgrims continue to travel through Jammu for the ongoing Shri Amarnath Yatra, prompting authorities to closely monitor weather conditions and advise travellers to remain updated about road and weather advisories before undertaking journeys.
The impact of the changing weather was witnessed in Samba on Sunday, where five persons were rescued after they became stranded in the swollen waters of the Basantar River following a sudden rise in the river’s water level.
According to police, the incident occurred behind Police Station Samba, where the five individuals were trapped in the strong currents after the river swelled due to rainfall. Acting swiftly, a police team led by SHO Samba Inspector Parvaiz Ahmed Khanday launched a rescue operation under the directions of Senior Superintendent of Police Anuj Kumar and the supervision of the Additional Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters).
Despite challenging conditions and strong currents, the police team successfully rescued all five persons without any casualties. SSP Anuj Kumar later commended the officers and personnel involved in the operation for their courage, professionalism and timely response, which helped save precious lives.
Meanwhile, the Kashmir division is also expected to witness an increase in rainfall, although comparatively less intense than Jammu. The IMD has forecast isolated light rain and thunderstorms during the next 24 hours, followed by widespread rainfall over the subsequent two days. Isolated thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph are likely on July 7, July 8 and July 11.
Weather data showed that temperatures remained above normal across most parts of the Union Territory. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 34 degrees Celsius, about 4.4 degrees above normal, while Gulmarg remained the coolest at 24.4 degrees Celsius during the day and 13.2 degrees Celsius at night.
The IMD has advised residents, pilgrims and tourists, particularly those living in flood- and landslide-prone areas, to remain alert, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rainfall and follow official weather advisories. People have also been urged to stay away from rivers, streams and nallahs, where sudden rises in water levels are possible during heavy downpours.
Officials said district administrations and disaster response agencies have been alerted to deal with any weather-related emergencies as the region braces for an active spell of monsoon rainfall over the coming days.
