*Met predicts heavy rain, floods this week
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 19: Rain in many parts of Jammu region affected normal life while Chenab and Tawi rivers were flooded, forcing administration in Akhnoor sub division to sound alert in the low lying areas at the banks of Chenab.
The rain and flood water from City Nallahs entered many houses in various localities of Jammu while power supply was also hit in some areas due to rain during morning hours today. The flash flood in Nallahs in Jammu and Samba districts also affected movement of traffic for some time during this morning.
Due to rain in Jammu and its upper reaches during night, river Tawi witnessed flood. But the water went on receding and at around 1 pm just 6 ft water level was observed in Tawi. Though the water remained below alert mark during the day in Tawi, yet the mighty Chenab recorded around 27 ft water at Akhnoor bridge and it was flowing near alert mark till 5 pm today. The water level in Chenab was around 25 ft at 1 pm and it went on increasing till this 6.30 pm this evening.
Official sources said that Salal Dam authorities also opened some gates and that was also reason of increasing water level, though it had rained in the upper reaches of Reasi, Ramban ad Doda as well during night. The dam water level was also rising. Observing continuous increase in river water, the Akhnoor Administration and Flood Control authorities sounded alert in the low lying areas of Pargwal, Indri Pattan, Khour and Mirpur Kona of Akhnoor sector.
Meanwhile, Salal Hydroelectric Project authorities have officially declared to open all the gates of the reservoir on Aug 22 morning at 5.45 am up to 6.30 pm in the evening on the same day for performing some urgent repair work and remove silt at the dam.
In Jammu City and its surrounding areas the rain during early hours today caused flash flood in small Nallahs and drains. The flood water again entered houses in Gangyal, Model Town, Jeevan Nagar, Preet Nagar, Nanak Nagar, Bahu Fort and Gorkha Nagar area. The rain and flood water also caused damage to the property of the people as the water entered several houses and shops . Due to encroachment on many Nallah, the rain and flood water caused extensive damage to the public property and it happens during rainy season every year in Jammu areas.
The water logging at many City crossings also affected the smooth movement of traffic. The areas like Canal Road, Bhagwati Nagar, Talab Tillo, Nanak Nagar, Ashok Nagar and Gangyal were affected much due to rain.
The Met office spokesman has predicted heavy rain during coming week in most of the areas in the region. He said from Wednesday night to Friday, heavy rain and thunder storm can lead to flash floods and storms in many areas of the region. On Aug 22-23 there will be some improvement in weather but again for the next four days, heavy rain and floods may occur in most parts of J&K.
Meanwhile, despite some rain in Ramban area during morning hours, the movement of traffic in Ramban-Banihal sector of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained by and large smooth today. For the last three days, the highway remained blocked at Mehar near Ramban due to road widening activity, stalling movement of traffic on the highway.
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