Flood scare hits Kashmir yet again, several low-lying areas get inundated

A spell of heavy rain for the past two days has again created flood scare in the Kashmir valley with water flowing above danger level in River Jhelum near Sangam in South Kashmir, where the alarm was sounded first.

Flood and Irrigation (F&I) official informed at 6 am on Thursday that the gauge reading at Sangam was 26.4 feet, while the river flowed at 19 feet at Ram Munshi bagh. At Asham, it was flowing at 10.50 feet. “The water level at Sangam is flowing 3 feet above danger mark and the rate of increase in the level is about 2-3 inches per hour there,” F&I Chief Engineer Javed Jaffar stated.

Water levels in lakes and tributaries across the valley have also sharply increased owing to the rainfall since Wednesday morning.

People in low lying areas advised to remain alert

The F&I department has also advised people living in low lying areas and close to river vicinity to remain alert. “The level in Srinagar may increase further so people should remain vigilant and perhaps move to safer places,” Jaffer said.

Several villages have already got affected due to waterlogging, and, the vehicular movement at city centre Lal Chowk was also hampered due to heavy downpour for last 24 hours.

In Kulgam district, according to several media reports, 12 members from a nomad family were trapped in Chamgund village due to the overflowing Vaishnav Nallah. Reports of Srinagar-Jammu Highway getting submerged in several areas are also coming to the fore.

In Srinagar, also, many shops in low lying areas close to the river embankments were already taking their goods out due to the flood scare.

Ruling party PDP’s spokesperson Naeem Akhtar has, however, marked that there is no flood problem and only ‘inundation’ issue which the admin will take care of after assessing the situation.

Stressing that the main weather system has weakened, MeT Director, Sonum Lotus stated, “We are not expecting more rain, however, a spell of light rain may occur at some places,” he said. Light rains are expected in the next 48 hours.

Flood scare is intense after devastating September floods last year tore the valley economically apart and resulted in the death of more than 200 people, leaving millions affected.