Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab continued to receive heavy rainfall on Wednesday. However, the weather had begun to improve in several regions, said officials.

In Jammu, Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic National Highway) Raja Adil Hamid said that heavy rainfall over the past two days had triggered landslides at several locations on the Jammu-Srinagar Highway, ANI reported.

“On the route from Jammu to Chenani, there were landslides at many places, and the road was closed,” he said. “A landslide has occurred in Udhampur near Dewal. So far, we have not received complete information as there is no mobile connectivity.”

Internet and mobile networks in Jammu and Kashmir were restored after a 24-hour outage caused by very heavy rainfall, The Indian Express reported. Train services were also restored from Jammu on Wednesday after a day-long suspension.

Ramban Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Alyas Khan said that the water levels of the Chenab river had risen above the danger mark due to heavy rain over the past two days. However, the river receded slightly on Wednesday, he added.

“We appeal to people not to go near the Chenab,” Khan told ANI. “We have also evacuated people living in lower-lying areas to safer locations. We also urge people not to go near small sewers…There are some landslides happening here… People should avoid going on the highway for now.”

The deputy commissioner added that the administration was on high alert.

Doda Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh said that four persons had died in the district in rain-related incidents, ANI reported. The rain was expected to stop on Wednesday, added Singh.

“Operations to clear highways and provide relief to people have begun, with teams deployed in Thathri and other locations,” said the deputy commissioner. “The highway is expected to be restored by evening.”

Landslides had occurred at about five locations on the highway, he said, adding that restoration work was going on.

“No further damage is expected to be incurred to residential and commercial structures,” the deputy commissioner said. “Internet and mobile connectivity will also be restored soon…People are advised to stay away from water bodies.”

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that he had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation in the Union Territory. “I am grateful for his assurance of continued assistance to the people of J&K,” he said on X.

On the landslide that occurred in Katra a day earlier, Abdullah said that if there was information about the weather, “couldn’t we do something to ensure that those innocent lives were saved?”, ANI reported. “Why weren’t they taken to a safe place?” he asked.

At least 30 persons died after heavy rainfall triggered a landslide near the Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra on Tuesday.

The India Meteorological Department said on Wednesday that the Jammu region, where the shrine is located, was facing a widespread thunderstorm. The weather agency told residents to stay indoors, avoid low-lying and waterlogged areas, and follow advisories issued by the administration.

Himachal Pradesh

Kullu, Manali, and Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal Pradesh were cut off from the rest of the state for the second consecutive day on Wednesday due to heavy rains that have triggered landslides and floods, The New Indian Express reported.

The Kiratpur–Manali National Highway and the Manali–Leh National Highway were damaged at several places. A total of 687 roads and three national highways in the state were either blocked or washed away by swollen rivers, nullahs and landslides, according to the newspaper.

Full restoration of highways, especially in stretches where roads had been entirely washed away, may take a few more days, unidentified officials told the newspaper.

Speaking to reporters, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said that heavy rainfall had led to destruction in Manali, Kangra and Chamba, ANI reported.

“National highways are severely damaged,” Sukhu said. “The people were evacuated. The main reason behind this is climate change and global warming. This will cause more damage in the Himalayas in the coming times.”

Punjab

In Punjab, the flood situation turned alarming on Wednesday after water levels in major dams, including Bhakra, Pong, Ranjit Sagar and Shahpur Kandi, surged close to or above their designed thresholds, The Indian Express reported.

Additionally, discharge from the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers rose steeply, putting several low-lying districts in the state on high flood alert.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy rain for the next 24 hours in the state.

Earlier in the day, 22 Central Reserve Police Force personnel and three civilians were evacuated from a flooded village in Punjab by an Army helicopter, minutes before the building they were sheltering in collapsed, The Indian Express quoted a defence spokesperson as saying.

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