Flash floods, landslides as heavy rains, snowfall lash J&K

Heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir caused flash floods and landslides on Wednesday. Schools were shut in several districts.

Heavy rains lashed Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, triggering flash floods and landslides, with authorities forced to shut schools in several districts including Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban and evacuate people from low-lying areas, while the strategic Jammu-Srinagar national highway remained blocked for the second day leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.

In Kashmir, the Jhelum crossed the danger mark at Sangam in Anantnag district and the water level was rising in other rivers also, officials said.

A high alert has been sounded in areas close to river Chenab and its tributaries, they said.

Snowfall in the higher reaches including the holy cave shrine of Amarnath has brought down the day temperature substantially, the officials said.

Police rescued 50 passengers travelling in ten vehicles which were trapped due to snowfall and heavy rains in the high-altitude area in Kishtwar district on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

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''Snowfall and heavy rains triggered flash-floods in Simthan top area following which 50 passengers including some women and children, were stranded. The police got the track cleared and after a lot of hard work rescued all the passengers, an official said.