Flood alert
Officials said the Jhelum rose above the critical 21-feet mark at Sangam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district owing to heavy rainfall. “Due to continuous rains over the past two days, the gauge at Sangam has crossed the flood declaration of 21 feet and was flowing at 21.33 feet at 6 pm,” an official at the irrigation and flood control department said.
A high-level meeting was chaired by Governor N N Vohra in Srinagar on Saturday to monitor the situation. Officials said people living in the low-lying areas have been asked to be prepared for evacuation in case of any emergency.
Schools across the Valley have been closed as a precautionary measure.
J&K Chief Secretary informed Governor about a Flood Control Room being set up at Hari Niwas in Gupkar; the obtaining and emerging weather conditions; water levels at various monitoring locations yesterday and today; mobilization of rescue teams and boats for evacuation; provision of pumps; electric power back up etc.
The official spokesman said that Governor was informed that a mechanism has been put in place for ensuring effective coordination with concerned agencies including Police, Army, Central Armed Police Forces, NDRF and Civil Administration.
Jammu and Kashmir Police has also set up help lines across valley for the general public to provide any assistance required in view of the incessant rainfall.
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Syed Abid Rashid Shah said that relief camps are being established in Srinagar, should there be need for evacuation in view of the rising water levels.. “We are equipping them with all essential items. Evacuation alert if needed from the low lying areas of the city will be issued separately.’’
Meanwhile alert teams plugged the breaches in the river Jehlum at Pampore at two places and SDRF teams were keeping close watch on the areas which could get submerged.
The term 1 examinations of class V to VIII were also postponed by the education department following the flood alert.
Kashmir experienced heavy rainfall over the past couple of days. The downpour was particularly intense in Srinagar on Friday. A Met official said Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district received the highest rainfall at 63.4 mm until 8.30 am while neighbouring Qazigund received 58.6 mm of rainfall. Srinagar had recorded just 12.6 mm of rainfall until 8.30 am, but the intensity increased after that, he added.