- By Priyanka Koul
- Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:24 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Jammu division under orange alert for heavy rainfall.
- Jammu-Srinagar National Highway closed due to landslides.
- Poonch schools declared holiday for student safety.
Jagran Correspondent, Jammu: Amid intensifying monsoon conditions in Jammu and Kashmir, heavy rain continues to lash several districts of the Jammu division. The Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, has issued an orange alert for nearly all ten districts of the Jammu division until August 5.
Vehicular movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway will remain suspended on Friday to facilitate widening and improvement work on the stretch damaged by landslides in the Dewal area of Udhampur district.
The highway has been repeatedly affected by heavy landslides in the Dewal area over the past few days. However, traffic will continue to operate on alternate local inner routes from both sides. Rain also disrupted helicopter services between Katra and Sanjichhat. Meanwhile, clear weather in the Kashmir Valley led to discomfort due to heat and humidity.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for nearly all ten districts of the Jammu division until August 5, warning of heavy rainfall between 100 and 200 millimetres. The forecast raises the risk of flash floods, landslides, and falling rocks in hilly areas. On Thursday evening, dark clouds gathered over parts of Jammu, followed by rainfall. The city received 25.2 millimetres of rain, while the maximum temperature was recorded at 33.9 degrees Celsius. However, high humidity added to the discomfort, with relative humidity recorded at 85 per cent in the morning and 65 per cent in the evening.
Maximum temperatures were recorded at 29.5 degrees Celsius in Banihal, 26.9 degrees Celsius in Batote, 30.6 degrees Celsius in Katra, and 28.4 degrees Celsius in Bhaderwah. Udhampur and Kathua also received rainfall. Weather conditions remained largely clear across the Kashmir Valley. The maximum temperature was recorded at 31.4 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, 25.8 degrees Celsius in Pahalgam, and 20.7 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg. Rainfall recorded until Thursday evening included 9.6 mm in Gulmarg, 6.6 mm in Katra, 0.8 mm in Kupwara, and 0.3 mm in Batote.
The Chief Education Officer (CEO) of Poonch has declared a holiday for all government and private educational institutions in the district on July 31. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and school staff until weather conditions improve.