Mirpur (ajk): The torrential monsoon rains triggered flash flooding in rivers, streams and seasonal waterways across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Wednesday, disrupting transport, power and telecommunications in several areas, while the authorities urged the residents to stay away from swollen water channels.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) warned people living near seasonal nullahs and streams to avoid visiting flooded rivers, streams and ponds as heavy monsoon rains continued across the region.
The upper reaches of Neelum Valley and Bagh districts were among the worst-affected areas, while heavy rainfall also lashed Mirpur district and other parts of Mirpur division, which includes Kotli and Bhimber.
In Mirpur, one of the heaviest downpours in recent months inundated low-lying neighbourhoods, turning roads into waterlogged stretches and disrupting traffic.
The rainfall, accompanied by strong winds, uprooted trees and advertising hoardings in several locations, according to official sources.
The power supply, road links and telecommunications were partially disrupted in parts of Mirpur division, while floodwaters entered roadside buildings in low-lying residential areas, including Sangoat, Mian Muhammad Town and settlements near Mangla Lake.
The authorities also reported incidents of landslides in Mirpur’s New City, a residential area developed for families displaced by the Mangla Dam project.
The residents said the landslides caused cracks in several houses and disrupted road traffic in parts of the township.
The weather forecasts indicated intermittent heavy rain is likely to continue across both the plains and upper regions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir over the coming days, raising the risk of further flooding and landslides.
The authorities advised the residents to avoid unnecessary travel near rivers, streams and flood-prone areas.