FLOOD DECLARED IN KASHMIR, AMARNATH YATRA SUSPENDED

SRINAGAR: With streams and rivers overflowing due to incessant rains in the past two days, flood was declared in south Kashmir on Friday. Authorities have also suspended the Amarnath Yatra.

People living in low-lying areas of south Kashmir, especially along the embankments of the Jhelum and other streams are advised to remain vigilant, said an official.

Amarnath Yatra was suspended on Friday morning due to rains and slippery tracks, officials said. The pilgrims were not allowed to move towards the cave shrine in southern Himalayas from Baltal base camp in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The yatra was suspended for the day from shorter route of Baltal, second time since it started on Thursday, after heavy rain damaged the tracks, Ganderbal DC Piyush Singla said.

Some pilgrims had to return halfway due to bad weather after officials gave them a go ahead for the yatra amid rains in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

District administration officials said they allowed the pilgrims to move towards the cave shrine from Pahalgam base camp despite rains.

“But some of them returned from Chandanwari, some 15km from Pahalgam,” said Anantnag deputy commissioner Mohammad Younis.

He said 1,433 pilgrims reached Sheshnag. An official manning the yatra helpline said 1,735 pilgrims were allowed to move from Pahalgam towards the cave shrine. “Those who crossed Chandanwari have reached Sheshnag and will be staying there at night,” Younis said.

SRINAGAR: Authorities on Friday sounded a flood alert as Jhelum river flowed above the critical 21 feet mark at Sangam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district due to heavy rains over the past two days.

“Due to continuous rains from the past two days, the guage at Sangam has crossed the flood declaration of 21 feet and was flowing at 21.33 feet at 6 pm,” an official of the irrigation and flood control department said.

The water level in Jhelum at Ram Munshi Bagh in the city was 13.34 feet at 6pm, over 4.5 feet below the flood declaration level.

He said the people living in areas along the embankments of Jhelum river, other streams and in low lying areas were advised to remain vigilant.

“The staff deputed on flood duty in south Kashmir is directed to report to their sectors and beats,” the official added.

The government has asked officials in south Kashmir to report on their duties.

The police and administration has set up special control rooms in the affected districts of south Kashmir.

Kashmir valley experienced rainfall over the past couple of days while the downpour intensified in many parts, including the summer capital of the state, on Friday.

However, officials of the Meteorological department, predicted an improvement in the weather for next two days and said a fresh cycle will bring more rainfall in the Valley after that period.

Officials said if rain doesn't stop then people living in the low-lying areas will be shifted to safer places.

A senior police officer said the situation is being closely watched and people shouldn't panic.

ALL SCHOOLS SHUT IN THE VALLEY TODAY

While the district authorities have decided to shut all schools in the Valley on Saturday.