Flood panics commercial hub: Shopkeepers shift stocks

With inclement weather forecast triggering panic among people in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley, some businessmen in the city centre of Lal Chowk and its adjoining markets were seen removing stocks from shops for safer places.
“There is an imminent threat of floods and I don’t want to repeat the mistake which I did last time during September floods when I lost my entire stocks,” Mehraj-ud-Din, a shopkeeper said.
The scene in other adjoining markets was similar.
“We don’t trust the government. Even last time when floods occurred, the administration had not issued any alert. This time I feel same thing was repeated. So I advised my sons and employees to shift the goods to safer place to avert losses in view of any eventuality,” Ghulam Muhammad, a cloth merchant said.
Pertinently, the incessant rains on Sunday caused water logging in Lal Chowk creating panic in people. The water from the market was however pumped out on Monday by the government.
Talking to us, President, Hari Singh High Street Traders Association Sheikh Usman Afzal said the traders were worried due to rising water level of Jehlum.
“Although, the district administration dewatered most of the markets, still the traders fear that September like situation may occur,” Afzal said.
The traders’ community in the Valley was one of the worst-hit during September floods and this has left deep scars on their mind.
“The Jhelum is flowing at faster speed and from yesterday its water level is consistently increasing. As a result of which, we don’t want to take any chance and have started shifting our merchandise to safer place,” Muhammad Ismail, a trader at Lal Chowk said.
He said that late last night they were informed by the authorities to be cautious. “And most of the shopkeepers whose shops are situated near the embankments of Jhelum have almost shifted stocks from their establishments.”
The shopkeepers described the move (shifting of their merchandise) as a precautionary measure. “Another flood would decimate us. We are yet to receive compensation for the losses we suffered in September. We cannot afford to suffer any more losses. Therefore, we are shifting our stocks to alternative places or to second or third floors of our houses,” Irshad Ahmad, a trader said.