Reasi, Udhampur, Jammu register record rainfall during 24 hours

Jammu, Jan 23: Incessant heavy rains coupled with wind storm in plains and snowfall on higher reaches, though providing much sought after reprieve from dry spell, badly impacted life across Jammu province with the power supply emerging as the first and major casualty on Friday.

During the last 24 hours, Reasi, Udhampur and Jammu among all districts of the province received the highest rainfall while higher reaches of Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Pir Panchal and Chenab Valley districts experienced light to heavy snowfall.

In Katra of Reasi district, the holy pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine nestled in Trikuta hills, which witnessed seasonís first snowfall, was temporarily suspended till afternoon as a precautionary measure yet it was later restored and the pilgrims enjoyed the pristine beauty of surroundings amid flakes of snow, to the hilt.

Following accumulation of snowfall from few inches to several feet at higher reaches of the province, the Police, Army and the civil administration had to rescue people stranded in inaccessible areas, including Basantgarh in Udhampur where 12 such persons were brought to safety after a gruelling operation.

On the power front, by evening, the running load, following intense restoration drive, was enhanced to 891 MW, from 140 MW in the morning, as against the normal average running load of approximately 1150 MW.

However, in many areas in inaccessible snow-bound and rain-affected locations, particularly in hilly and remote districts of the province, the power supply till late Friday evening could not be restored.

RECORD RAINFALL IN REASI, UDHAMPUR, JAMMU

As per the weatherman, during the last 24 hours, in Jammu region, Reasi district recorded the highest rainfall of 83 mm, followed by Katra (also in Reasi district) 79.4 mm; Udhampur 76.8 mm and Jammu, which registered 69.4 mm rainfall.

Jammu airport experienced 58 mm rainfall; Samba 63 mm; Rajouri 56.4 mm: Batote 49.8 mm; Kathua 45.8 mm; Banihal 42.7 mm and Bhaderwah 27.2 mm rainfall during the past 24 hours till 8.30 am.

POWER BLUES

Rains preceded by thunder storm on Thursday evening led to uprooting of trees and electric poles, thus vastly damaging High Tension (HT) and Low Tension (LT) lines, thus disrupting power supply across Jammu province. As the rains in the plains and snowfall on the higher reaches continued till late Friday afternoon, majority of the areas even in Jammu city and adjoining areas remained without electricity or continued to face power hide-n-seek till late evening.

In Jammu city and outskirts, while the power supply was restored to a large extent by Friday evening, the areas in inaccessible snow-bound and rain-affected locations, particularly in hilly and remote districts of the province, were without electricity when the last reports received.

Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) spokesperson, however, said that adequate manpower, machinery, and material were mobilised to assess damages and ensure early restoration of power supply across all affected areas. ìJPDCL is maintaining close coordination with district administrations and other concerned agencies to expedite restoration works, particularly in vulnerable and remote regions,î he stated.

In view of incessant rainfall and heavy snowfall across various parts of the Jammu division, the power demand of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) witnessed an unprecedented decline, dropping to 140 MW at around 4 am, the spokesperson informed.

ìConsequent upon sustained restoration efforts undertaken by JPDCL, the running load has since been progressively enhanced to 891 MW, as against the normal average running load of approximately 1150 MW by 5.30 pm. At the sub-transmission level, 161 out of 181 numbers of 66/33 kV lines were restored. At the distribution level, 740 out of 1373 numbers of 11 kV feeders have been restored, and restoration of remaining accessible feeders is being undertaken on priority,î he informed.

The pace of restoration in certain areas, according to JPDCL spokesperson, remained constrained due to inaccessibility of snow-bound and rain-affected locations, particularly in hilly and remote regions.

The major affected areas included parts of Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Doda, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Kishtwar, and Samba districts, especially the higher reaches and interior areas. In district Jammu, where the power system was primarily affected due to heavy rainfall, windstorms, and felling of trees on HT/LT lines, field teams were deployed to address faults and damages on priority.

STRANDED PERSONS RESCUED IN UDHAMPUR

Amid inclement weather conditions, the Police conducted a timely rescue operation and saved 12 persons, including women and children, who were stranded in a heavy snowstorm in the upper ridges of Chochru Galla in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district.

Police said that information regarding the stranded persons was received at Police Post Sang, following which a police team led by Head Constable Mushtaq Ahmed in-charge Police Post Sang was immediately mobilised.

ìThe team trekked several kilometres through snow-covered and foggy terrain to reach the spot. All 12 stranded persons were safely rescued and brought to Police Post Sang, where they were provided with food, shelter and necessary medical assistance,î Police stated.

In the neighbouring district of Reasi, in Katra, the Vaishnodevi pilgrims, however, witnessed spectacular weather amid snowfall.

ìDevotees were blessed to witness breathtaking weather as fresh snow gently adorned the holy surroundings of Maa Vaishno Devi Bhawan and Bhairon temple, filling the atmosphere with serenity, devotion and divine bliss,î Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) posted on its official ëXí handle, with a collage of pictures capturing varied hues of natureís ecstasy.