Amid frequent wet spells in the ongoing month, Jammu and Kashmir has reported 15 cloudburst incidents in the month of July while the Meteorological department (MeT) is preparing data to see whether the incidents have witnessed an upward trend.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Jammu and Kashmir has received excess rainfall of 27 per cent since June 01, 2023 to July 19, 2023 as the frequent rainfall has been reported in the Union Territory from last month.
Deputy Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told KNO that although the complete data has not been prepared but so far in this month, a total of 15 cloudburst incidents have been reported in July alone.
“It will be premature to speak whether such incidents have witnessed an upward trend as the data has not been finalized yet, which would help in comparing the figures of this year with previous years,” he said.
Several areas of J&K a few days ago were hit by flash floods triggered by the cloudburst incidents, which led to the damage of roads, some walls of the Government run schools in Kulgam and minor damage to the roads in Zirhama village in Kupwara.
A few cloudburst incidents were also reported in Katra recently leading to the cloudburst.
Moreover, the weatherman has predicted more rains in J&K till July 28, saying that the weather would remain partly to generally cloudy from July 25-July 28.
On July 25, MeT Deputy Director said that there is a possibility of light rain, thunderstorm during late night and early morning.
He added that from July 26-July 28, the weather would remain partly to generally cloudy during daytime while there is a possibility of light to moderate thunderstorm at many places with isolated heavy rainfall especially during late night and early morning.
In an advisory, the MeT has predicted risk of flash flood, mudslide, landslide during the period and advise people to remain cautious and stay away from Streams, Rivers and other vulnerable spots during the period
