Heavy Rain Strikes Kashmir, Evacuations Ordered

By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer

March 30,2015; 9:10PM,EDT

 

 

Heavy rains have forced evacuations in parts of both Indian- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir after rivers started reaching dangerous levels.
Hundreds of people were evacuated, The Associated Press reported. Water rescues were underway after two houses sank in the flood waters.
Schools in the Kashmir valley have been closed through Tuesday as a result of the flooding, The Times of India reported on its website.
An Indian paramilitary soldier walks through a flooded street following heavy rains in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sunday, March 29, 2015. Heavy rains have been reported in several parts of the Kashmir valley. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
Rainfall has been excessive across the region since late February, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said.
"Srinagar has received 250 percent of normal rain in February and nearly 300 percent of normal thus far in March," Nicholls said. "Srinagar had 311 mm (12.25 inches) of rain in March. Normal rainfall is 105 mm (4.12 inches)."
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Heavy rains will continue to be a problem, Nicholls said.
"More heavy rain is likely this week. The models look wet over the next couple of weeks," he said.
Evacuation orders were given to residents in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir when the Neelum River started to rise under the influence of the heavy rains.
About 600 people died after flooding across the same region in September.
Meteorologist Eric Leister contributed to this story.