Jammu: Widespread rain and thunderstorms lashed several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, triggering landslides, mudslides and localized flash floods, disrupting road connectivity, stranding thousands of commuters on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and forcing the suspension of the battery car service on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi track.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued wet weather across the Union Territory over the next several days and warned of isolated heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds, particularly in the Jammu division.
Thousands of passengers, including tourists, remained stranded for several hours on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway after authorities halted Jammu-bound traffic near the Navyug Tunnel in Kulgam district.
Although traffic officials did not specify the reason for the prolonged stoppage, such restrictions are routinely imposed to facilitate the movement of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra convoys.
Hundreds of vehicles remained queued from the Navyug Tunnel to Mir Bazar, leaving thousands of passengers stranded on the highway.
Traffic authorities said efforts were underway to restore normal movement at the earliest.
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall triggered a landslide near Himkoti on the new track to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district on Wednesday evening.
Officials said the landslide led to the temporary suspension of the battery car service as a precautionary measure.
However, the pilgrimage remained unaffected, with thousands of devotees continuing their journey through the traditional track.
The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board immediately deployed men and machinery to clear the debris and restore the affected stretch.
In Jammu city, a boundary wall collapsed in the Gangyal Industrial Area amid heavy rain, damaging a parked car. No injuries or casualties were reported.
Amid the prevailing weather conditions, authorities in Doda district have imposed restrictions on trekking, hiking, camping and other adventure activities across Bhaderwah subdivision.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Bhaderwah Sunil Kumar Bhityal issued the order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), citing security concerns, difficult terrain, adverse weather conditions, landslides, flash floods and other natural hazards.
The order, which came into force immediately, makes prior written permission mandatory for all individuals, trekking agencies, tour operators, guides and organizations intending to conduct adventure activities in the area.
The restrictions will not apply to nomadic Gujjar-Bakarwal and Gaddi communities, although their movement will remain subject to permission from the competent authorities.
Police, Army, the Bhaderwah Development Authority, Forest Department and Executive Magistrates have been directed to ensure strict implementation of the order.
According to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, widespread light to moderate rain and thunderstorms were recorded across Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours.
The highest rainfall was recorded at Jammu (Chatha AWS) with 53 mm, while Batote received 29.6 mm, Jammu city 22.9 mm, Katra 6.4 mm, Bhaderwah 2.8 mm, Kukernag 1.8 mm, Banihal 0.9 mm, Pahalgam 0.6 mm and Gulmarg 0.4 mm.
The department said the maximum day temperature remained around normal over most parts of Kashmir and up to 3 degrees Celsius above normal at many places in the Jammu division.
Kupwara recorded the highest maximum temperature in Kashmir at 32.0°C, while Jammu recorded 37.9°C, the highest in the Jammu division.
The minimum night temperature remained above normal at many places in Kashmir and below normal at several stations in Jammu.
Gulmarg recorded the lowest minimum temperature in Kashmir at 11.0°C, while Banihal was the coldest in Jammu division at 17.4°C.
Meanwhile, evening observations showed that Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 33.2°C, about 2.5 degrees above normal, while Jammu recorded 34.5°C.
Other maximum temperatures included Kupwara 33.0°C, Qazigund 31.0°C, Kokernag 30.6°C, Pahalgam 25.4°C, Gulmarg 23.4°C, Banihal 29.2°C, Batote 28.7°C, Katra 31.0°C and Bhaderwah 27.0°C.
The minimum temperatures stood at 19.6°C in Srinagar and 23.4°C in Jammu, while Pahalgam recorded 14.6°C and Gulmarg 11.0°C.
According to reports, intense evening showers affected several districts, including Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, Katra, Doda, Udhampur, Ramban and Batote, besides parts of Kupwara in north Kashmir.
The heavy rain triggered localized flash floods, mudslides and landslides at several vulnerable locations, prompting authorities to advise people to avoid rivers, streams, nallahs and landslide-prone areas.
The IMD has forecast widespread light to moderate rain and thunderstorms across Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
For the subsequent two days, scattered to fairly widespread rain and thunderstorms are expected across the Union Territory.
The weather department has also issued a seven-day warning indicating the possibility of isolated heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph, especially in the Jammu division.
The department warned that vulnerable areas could witness landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and flash floods, particularly on July 8, 11 and 12, and advised residents, pilgrims and tourists to remain vigilant and follow official advisories.
Authorities have urged commuters to check road conditions before undertaking travel on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and advised people to avoid unnecessary movement in vulnerable areas during periods of intense rainfall.
