Srinagar, July 8: Heavy rain has lashed Jammu and Kashmir since Friday evening, resulting in a rise in the water level in the Jhelum River and other tributaries, met office said on Saturday.

The heavy rains triggered landslides and mudslides, blocking the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and also suspending the ongoing Amarnath Yatra for the second consecutive day, officials said.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway was inaccessible at Mehar, Cafeteria Morh, T1, T2 (Keela Mord and Sita Ram pass), and Panthyal in the Jammu region due to roadblocks.

Additionally, heavy rains caused damage to a section of the road leading to the T5 Panthyal tunnel.

Heavy rains have been lashing J&K since Friday. Banihal district, Jammu region, recorded the highest rainfall of 103.8 mm over the last 24 hours.

In Kashmir, the tourist resort of Pahalgam recorded the all-time highest 24-hour rainfall in July. Pahalgam recorded 73.3 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. In July 1983, the resort received 60.4 mm of rainfall.

Qazigund in south Kashmir recorded the second-all-time highest 24-hour rainfall in July. It received 94.0 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours.

The tourist resort of Gulmarg recorded the highest 24-hour rainfall in July since 2010. Gulmarg recorded 42.4 mm of rainfall.

The Meteorological Department has predicted widespread light to moderate rain or thunderstorms with isolated heavy falls over Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

It also predicted scattered to widespread light to moderate rain or thunderstorms for the next two days.

UNI MJR ARN