Flash Floods, Landslides, Snowfall Paralyze Life in Jammu And Kashmir; Schools, Highways Shut

Life in Jammu and Kashmir got here to a standstill after flash floods, relentless rains, and landslides pressured the federal government to near colleges and highways around the area. The Union Territory is reeling from the aftermath of constant heavy rainfall that has prompted flash floods and landslides all through Kashmir and surrounding highways. Dozens of cars had been broken, leading to losses value crores, whilst over 3 dozen homes have sustained vital harm in Ramban, Kishtwar, and Gurez. Authorities have issued a prime alert as additional rainfall is anticipated nowadays.

The unrelenting downpour has additionally significantly impacted agriculture, with apple orchards in Pulwama, Shopian, and Kulgam districts a number of the worst affected. Local farmers at the moment are assessing in style harm to their vegetation, elevating issues concerning the season’s harvest.

In mild of the hazardous climate, Jammu and Kashmir’s Education Minister, Sakina Ittoo, introduced the closure of all colleges within the Kashmir Valley. “In view of the continuing severe weather conditions and forecasts, it has been decided that classwork in all schools of the valley shall remain suspended for one day on April 21,” she mentioned in a publish on social media platform X.

Travel disruptions have additional added to the demanding situations, as landslides and snow fall have blocked primary highways connecting Kashmir with Ladakh, Jammu, and the course from Srinagar to Gurez. Extensive rescue and aid operations had been introduced, involving the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Civil Quick Response Teams (QRTs), and native NGOs.

Unexpected late-April snow fall has blanketed the upper reaches of the area, together with Gurez, Sonamarg, and Minimarg. Kargil district in Ladakh has additionally been significantly affected, with vital harm to bushes, assets, and tool infrastructure. Many spaces stay with out electrical energy because the Electric Distribution Division in Kargil works across the clock to revive services and products—efforts which were slowed via the continuing hostile climate.

Meanwhile, water ranges in rivers and tributaries around the Kashmir Valley have risen sharply. The River Jhelum, which were flowing at a low stage till not too long ago, is now seeing an important build up in water waft. However, officers from the Flood and Irrigation Department have confident citizens that there is not any speedy danger of in style flooding.