Himachal Pradesh isn’t the only Himalayan state facing flash floods due to heavy rainfall as monsoon picks pace in the country. Several districts of Jammu and Kashmir have also reported massive flash floods. These include Ganderbal, Kathua, Samba districts. No loss of life has been reported.
As per the news reports, rains have disrupted normal life and a large number of the rivers and nullahs in the union territory (UT) are in full spate. Ganderbal has reported severe flash floods. Meanwhile, at least 11 people were rescued today on July 12 following flash floods in Kathua district of Jammu.
A small bridge on Tawi river has been reportedly washed away. Flood alert has been issued for many districts.
The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) rainfall data shows that in 24 hours, between 8:30 am on July 11 and 8:30 am on July 12, J&K received 380 per cent ‘large excess’ rainfall. As against the normal rainfall of 5.4 millimetre (mm), the UT received 25.9 mm rainfall, thus triggering flash floods.
District wise data shows that between 8:30 am on July 11 and 8:30 am on July 12, all the twenty districts of the UT received ‘large excess’ rainfall. The highest rainfall was in Ganderwal district with 2271 per cent ‘large excess’ rainfall.
Poonch and Samba districts received 1877 per cent and 1090 per cent ‘large excess’ rainfall. Baramulla, Anantnag, Reasi, Jammu, Udhampur and Kathua received 1411 per cent, 488 per cent, 455 per cent, 855 per cent, 132 per cent and 99 per cent rainfall, respectively.
Predictably, the rivers are in full spate causing flash floods.
But deficient rainfall this monsoon season
Whereas the UT is at present facing flash floods, IMD’s rainfall data for this entire southwest monsoon season shows J&K is still in the ‘deficient’ rainfall category. Between June 1 and July 12, J&K has registered a rainfall departure of minus 27 per cent.
Of its 20 districts, 11 have ‘deficient’ rainfall and one ‘large deficient’ rainfall (Kishtwar district) in this monsoon season so far. Only six districts have received ‘normal’ rainfall, one ‘large excess’ (Samba district) and one ‘excess’ rainfall (Jammu district).
Districts with deficient rainfall this monsoon season include Anantnag (minus 48 per cent), Badgam (minus 54 per cent), Bandipore (minus 29 per cent), Baramulla (minus 5 per cent), Doda (minus 50 per cent), Ganderwal (minus 57 per cent), Kathua (minus 41 per cent), Kulgam (minus 37 per cent), Kupwara (minus 52 per cent), Shopian (minus 56 per cent) and Srinagar (minus 38 per cent).
Meanwhile, the monsoon is very delayed and is yet to reach Delhi-NCR. Water crisis has been reported in the national capital.
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