SRINAGAR: Heavy rain continued to lash large parts of the Jammu region on Tuesday, severely affecting normal life as authorities remained on high alert following rain-related incidents that have claimed 23 lives since Sunday, while seven people are still missing, officials said.
Poonch, Rajouri and Doda districts have borne the brunt of the adverse weather, with cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides causing extensive damage over the past three days. Search and rescue teams continued operations in Poonch and Rajouri to locate the missing despite persistent rainfall.
All major pilgrimages, including the Amarnath Yatra, Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, Shiv Khori Yatra and Machail Mata Yatra, remained suspended for the third consecutive day owing to heavy rain, landslides and the threat of flash floods. Authorities have advised pilgrims to remain at designated shelters until weather conditions improve and routes are declared safe.
Officials said district administrations, disaster response forces, police and other agencies are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance and have been placed on maximum alert in vulnerable areas.
The Meteorological Department said Katra recorded the highest rainfall during the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Tuesday, receiving 107.1 mm. Poonch received 61.5 mm, followed by Reasi with 54.5 mm, Rajouri with 49 mm and Jammu with 35 mm.
Heavy rain also triggered landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at several locations, affecting highways and link roads, while waterlogging disrupted traffic in both urban and rural areas. Officials said restoration work is in progress, although continuous rainfall has slowed efforts to clear debris and restore connectivity.
With moderate to heavy rainfall forecast to continue until July 23, authorities have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers, nallahs, water bodies and landslide-prone areas.
