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Jammu and Kashmir’s renowned weatherman Sonam Lotus said on Thursday the ongoing monsoon weather season was the most dangerous phase of the year, as the majority of the weather-related incidents occured during this period.

 

Lotus said the upcoming period between August 31 and September 3 could bring the heaviest rainfall across parts of south Kashmir, the Chenab Valley, and parts of the division, especially during the morning hours.

 

The ongoing season has been the worst in terms of weather-related incidents triggered by various causes, including natural and manmade ones.
He said, “The rainfall in this phase of the season occurs mostly due to cloudbursts. If it rains continuously for 48 hours, the land becomes saturated, triggering landslides, flash floods, and mud erosion along the mountainous region with the least foliage.” He advised both the administration and the public to remain extremely cautious in this period.

 

He said cloudbursts were quite common in the hilly areas, though predicting them with one hundred per cent accuracy was not possible.

“Though the mitigation efforts and prevention methods could be better positioned in the flood-prone or cloudburst-prone zones. People who have built their houses and commercial structures on riverbanks or close to flood basins must be relocated as soon as possible. These events will only increase in the future due to changes in global weather patterns and climate change triggered by human activities,” he added.

 

“Many people have constructed houses along flood channels. When water levels rise, such houses are bound to get washed away. Authorities must ensure that no construction is allowed on floodplains. People also need to understand that nature’s course cannot be stopped,” he said.
Looking ahead, Lotus predicted that after September 4, the weather is expected to turn dry and stable but cautioned that monsoon patterns can shift quickly.

 

“These weather patterns are not new; they have been occurring for years. I personally feel sad for those who lost their lives recently in the Jammu division due to cloudbursts and floods. I pray for the departed souls and for the speedy recovery of the injured. My only appeal is that people remain alert and cooperate with advisories,” he said.