Flood alert in Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday sounded the flood alert after water level in river Jhelum crossed the danger mark due to incessant rains since Tuesday night.

The flood alert was sounded late Wednesday night for south Kashmir while in the morning the authorities alerted people in Srinagar about the possibility of flood.

Schools located near river banks were also asked to close down on Thursday in view of flood-like situation while intra-Kashmir train services were suspended. The Srinagar-Jammu highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the world, was blocked at several places due to overnight incessant rains, officials said.

Reports said due to incessant rains, several areas of Anantnag and Kulgam districts in south were flooded as some streams breached its banks.

Officials said the Jhelum was flowing at 27.15 ft, 4.15 ft above the danger mark, at Sangam at 2 pm while in Srinagar the river had risen to 20.70 ft, nearly two feet above the danger



mark.

Authorities asked people living in and around flood prone areas in south and central Kashmir to shift to safer areas. “People residing along the river embankment/streams and low lying areas of south and central Kashmir are advised to remain vigilant. People residing along Vaishaw Nallah in Kulgam district are advised to move to safer places,” read the circular issued by the Chief Engineer of Flood Control department.

Besides, the staff deputed on flood duty is directed to report to their respective beats, it added.

Reports said several families in some villages of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district shifted to safer places while others were seen shifting their belongings to upper storeys of their houses. According to reports, some bridges have also been washed away by Vaishaw Nallah.

A number of roads were inundated in Srinagar affecting vehicular and pedestrian movement following relentless rainfall. Sonam Lotus, director of local Met office said the weather has started to improve.