Jhelum flows above danger mark in Valley
SRINAGAR: Incessant rainfall caused the water-level in rivers and streams to rise sharply in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, forcing authorities to close schools in several districts and evacuate people from low-lying areas.
Snowfall was reported in the higher reaches of the region, including the Amaranth Cave shrine and Kousarnag in Kulgam. The water level of Jhelum crossed the flood declaration mark in central and south Kashmir. The river crossed the ‘flood-declaration mark’ (21-feet) at Sangam in Anantnag district at around 2pm. A flood alarm was also sounded at Ram Munshi Bagh near Srinagar at around 6.15pm in Srinagar after the river breached the 18-feet mark.
The irrigation and flood control department advised people residing along River Jhelum in south, central and north Kashmir to remain vigilant. The water is expected to recede by night as the weather improved later in the day.
The flood control department, in a tweet, said, “As per the trend of water level at Sangam, the gauge at the Sangam is expected to start receding by or before the sunset.”
Schools closed
The swollen rivers and streams and blocked highways, prompted authorities to close schools in at least five districts of Kashmir valley and one in Jammu division, officials said.
Due to the heavy rainfall, classes in all the schools up to high school level in Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian and Pulwama in south Kashmir, Kupwara in north Kashmir and Ramban in Jammu division was suspended.
Flashfloods in Kulgam, guide goes missing in Anantnag
Landslides and flash floods were also reported in the region, particularly the hilly areas. In Kulgam, several families and livestock were rescued from flashfloods.
“Several nomadic families were rescued along with their livestock after they were trapped in the Veshow nullah near Pariwan village. A few people were rescued in Asthal, and eight families were rescued from Khrevan Lassipora,” said an official.
Flood control officials also plugged weak spots near Khudwani bridge in Kulgam to prevent a breach.
In Anantnag, a tourist guide, who was leading a group of 14, of which 11 were tourists, went missing near Tarser Lake in south Kashmir.
“A rescue team has been dispatched to the place,” a police official said.
Bemina flooded
In the Bemina area on the outskirts of the city, flood water entered lanes and residential houses in Goripora, following a breach in a nearby stream.
In the plains, the roads were inundated with water. Srinagar municipal corporation mayor Junaid Azim Mattu said, “A flashflood-like situation was seen in Tailbal and Khushipora areas of north Srinagar. Teams are being deployed to aid efforts of the J&K Lakes Conservation Management Authority.”
“There has been waterlogging in some areas of Srinagar. Our static dewatering stations are fully functional and mobile dewatering pumps have been deployed,” he said.