Red alert for rain: Major five-day wet spell to lash J&K Jammu and Kashmir is preparing for a prolonged period of intense rainfall, with the Meteorological Department forecasting widespread rain, heavy downpours, and the possibility of cloudburst-like events between July 19 and July 23. Authorities have issued advisories urging residents, pilgrims, and tourists to remain cautious as the weather system is expected to trigger multiple hazards across the Union Territory. The weather advisory, issued by the Meteorological Department in Srinagar, highlights that the extended wet spell is likely due to a rare interaction between moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, combined with the northward shift of the western end of the monsoon trough toward Jammu. This system is projected to bring widespread moderate rain and thundershowers across Jammu and Kashmir, with isolated heavy rainfall in the Kashmir division between July 21 and 23. The Jammu division is expected to face scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall from July 20 to 23, with Reasi and Udhampur districts at the highest risk of extremely heavy downpours. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar, emphasized the potential for weather-related hazards. "We expect widespread rainfall activity during the next five days. Some places, particularly in Jammu division, may receive heavy to very heavy rainfall, while isolated heavy showers are also likely in parts of Kashmir. People are advised to follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas during periods of intense rainfall," he stated. The advisory warns of flash floods, landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, and cloudburst-like events, especially along the Pir Panjal range and other mountainous regions.#meteorological_department #jammu_and_kashmir #dr_mukhtar_ahmad #amarnath_yatra #pir_panjal_range
Floods and Landslides Kill at Least 12 in Jammu and Kashmir's Border Districts Torrential rains unleashed catastrophic landslides and flash floods across the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir on July 19, 2026, resulting in at least 12 deaths, several missing persons, and widespread destruction of infrastructure. The disaster prompted large-scale rescue operations as officials scrambled to address the crisis. Poonch district, located in the Pir Panjal valley, was the hardest-hit area, with flash floods sweeping away homes in Lower Murrah, Bufliaz, and Surankote tehsil. At least 16 people were feared dead in Poonch, with nine bodies recovered so far, while rescue teams worked to locate four missing civilians. The floods also devastated Rajouri and Kishtwar districts, where heavy rainfall triggered flash floods that damaged public property, washed away vehicles, and disrupted traffic due to landslides. Authorities temporarily suspended the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage in Kashmir and canceled visits to the Mata Vaishno Devi and Shiv Khori shrines after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted prolonged rainfall. The disaster unfolded in the early hours of July 19, 2026, when Mohammad Latief, an elderly resident of Lower Muran in Surankote tehsil, attempted to move his SUV to higher ground. Moments later, a cloudburst unleashed a torrent of mud, rocks, and floodwater, collapsing his three-story house and burying eight family members beneath the rubble. Latief survived by chance, while his elder son, who was away in Jammu, escaped the tragedy.#jammu_and_kashmir #imdad #poonch_district #rajouri_district #amarnath_yatra
Connecting Vande Bharat Express Service From Ludhiana To Srinagar Via Jammu Begins, Train Will Run From 9:19 Am The Indian Railways has launched a new Vande Bharat Express service connecting Ludhiana to Srinagar via Jammu, marking a significant improvement for pilgrims traveling to the Amarnath Yatra. The service, which commenced on 1 July 2026, offers a direct rail link between Ludhiana and Srinagar, drastically reducing travel time and enhancing convenience for devotees. The first train of the day departs Ludhiana at 9:19 am, operating on a schedule that allows pilgrims to complete their journey with minimal disruption. This development comes as a relief to pilgrims, who previously faced arduous road journeys through rugged terrain. The new service replaces the earlier, less efficient road routes, which often required multiple transfers and long hours of travel. The Vande Bharat Express, a modern 20-coach train, now accommodates up to 1,450 passengers per trip, a substantial increase from the 500 passengers that could be carried in the previous 8-coach train. This expansion ensures that more devotees can travel comfortably and safely, avoiding the overcrowding and delays that plagued earlier services. The cost-effectiveness of the rail journey is another major advantage. During peak pilgrimage seasons, air travel for the Amarnath Yatra typically ranged from ₹8,000 to ₹15,000, while the new rail service offers tickets at a fraction of that cost, with fares under ₹2,500. Additionally, the train route eliminates the need for expensive private car travel, which involves high fuel costs, toll taxes, and the physical strain of navigating mountainous roads. The rail journey also saves significant time, reducing the travel duration from Jammu to Srinagar from 7–8 hours by road to just 5 hours by train.#srinagar #indian_railways #ludhiana #vande_bharat_express #amarnath_yatra
