Rajouri: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Friday initiated clearance operations in the Pir Panjal mountain range after heavy rainfall and flash floods triggered landslides, cutting off road connectivity in several parts of Rajouri district.
Officials said that continuous downpours in the higher reaches of Pir Panjal caused multiple landslips, leading to blockades on vital roads. BRO teams were pressed into service soon after the weather eased, and clearance work was underway till late evening.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a series of weather alerts for Jammu and Kashmir. A yellow alert has been sounded for Friday in Poonch, Reasi, Rajouri, Kishtwar, and Udhampur districts, warning of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning.
For Saturday and Sunday, the IMD has issued an orange alert for Poonch, Kishtwar, Jammu, Ramban, and Udhampur, cautioning of heavier rainfall that could lead to further landslides, flash floods, and disruption of traffic in vulnerable areas.
Authorities have urged people in landslide-prone zones to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel, especially along hill roads that remain vulnerable to sudden slips. [KNT]
