KNB News Desk
Srinagar 19 July (KNB): Director Meteorological Department Jammu and Kashmir on Monday said that there is no need to panic ahead of the weather forecast and people of the Union Territory should enjoy the festival of Eid.
In an exclusive conversation with Imran Naikoo, Special Correspondent of news agency Kashmir News Bureau, Sonam Lotus said that usually the department issues weather advisories but as soon as the department anticipates any heavy rainfall, lightning or Thunderstorms, a timely weather warning is issued.
“As we had already forecasted, heavy rainfall took place in many areas of Jammu region and the weather warning ‘heavy rainfall’ was mainly issued for that region only,” he said, adding that in Kathua district of the Jammu, around 121mm (12 cm) of rainfall was recorded within 5-6 hours which resulted in the water logging issue.
Regarding the weather forecast for Kashmir region of the Union Territory, Lotus said that as per the weather advisory, Moderate to Heavy rainfall was already predicted from 19-21st of this month and the same stands.
“We did not issue a warning in Kashmir because we did not want to create any panic among the people,” he said, adding, “If Heavy Rains do take place, people should be prepared but there are no chances of flood as we have not mentioned about it in the advisory.”
Dir MeT Sonam Lotus said, “As we had mentioned about flash floods and water logging issues, the same was witnessed in some tributaries of south Kashmir which include areas of Shopian, where within few hours 80-90mm of rainfall was recorded due to which low lying areas (on the riversides) flood like situation had taken place.”
“For now the rainfall has stopped and but tonight and tomorrow, considerable rainfall is going to take place in Kashmir region as well as Jammu region,” he added.
Sonam Lotus reiterated that there are no flood warnings across the Union Territory but flood-like situations may come up in low lying areas, especially the ones on the river sides.
“People should be prepared but not scared,” he added.
“After the 21st of July, the weather will mostly remain better. As per the current situation Pir Panjal Range (including south Kashmir, Banihal, Chenab Valley) may face heavy rains which can result in flash floods especially in the low lying areas of these regions.”
He further said that there is prediction of rain on Tuesday and on 21st July (Eid-ul-Adha), occasional showers of rain may take place otherwise the weather will remain pleasant.
Sonam Lotus said that there is already a 20 to 30 percent deficit in rain in Kashmir which will be compensated if the forthcoming precipitation of rain takes place.
He also wished the people of Jammu and Kashmir a prosperous Eid and advised that there is no need to panic at all. (KNB)