SRINAGAR — An avalanche warning has been issued for six districts of Jammu and Kashmir owing to fresh rainfall in the state in the past 24 hours.
The Divisional administration Kashmir reportedly issued the warning in avalanche-prone areas of Kulgam, Pulwama, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts.
Residents have been asked to not venture out during the period.
The state Meteorological department had earlier on Thursday said the skies would be clear throughout the day but light rainfall was expected in the evening.
Heavy rains and a landslide in the valley have killed 17 people so far.
Fifteen people were killed when a hillside collapsed onto a house in Ledhan village, about 40 km from Srinagar, before dawn on Monday.
Police said two other people died in flash floods in another part of the state.
Hundreds of people have fled their homes as Kashmir's main rivers began to swell and weather forecasters predicted further downpours in the region that was struck by devastating floods just seven months ago.
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