Flood fear returns as Jhelum crosses danger mark
- No need to panic: I&FC Dept
- Qazigund-Banihal rail service suspended, Srinagar-Jammu highway partially blocked
- Weather likely to improve from today
Even as river Jhelum was flowing above danger level at many places, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has ruled out any real threat of floods in Kashmir, asserting that the situation was under control.
Jhelum was flowing above danger mark at Sangam (Anantnag) at 27.10 feet and 21.40 feet at Ram Munshi bagh (Srinagar) while at Asham (Bandipora) it had reached 13.41 feet.The flood alarm level at Sangam gauge is 18 ft, flood declaration at 21 ft and danger level at 23 ft. The flood alarm level at Ram Munshibagh is 16 ft, flood declaration 18 ft and danger level at 19 ft. At Asham, the flood alarm level is at 13 ft, flood declaration 14 ft and danger level at 15 ft.
“The weather is improving and the chances of floods are minimal. There is no need to panic as the situation is under control,” Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control Department, Javed Jaffer said.
Incessant rainfall has resulted in flood-like situation in parts of Kashmir valley. The IFC declared flood alert in south Kashmir late Wednesday night and in central and north Kashmir on Thursday.
Jaffer said the water level at Sangam in South Kashmir has stabilized. “In South Kashmir, the water level is stable and is not rising. We hope the water will start receding,” he said.
The Meteorological Department has predicted dry weather for the next two to three days. “Weather has started to improve and we are expecting no more rains for next two to three days,” a MeT official said, adding that weather is likely to improve by Friday morning.
PANIC
The rising level of Jhelum triggered panic among the residents residing along the river embankments and low lying areas. Jhelum breached bund near Sempora, creating panic in the area. Keeping in view the rising water level, Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) in Sempore has been closed.
Residents in flood prone areas of Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Gogji Bagh and Wazir Bagh were also in a panic situation after Jhelum started to flow over danger mark.
“We are on our toes, ready to evacuate if the situation arises. We hope the situation will not turn ugly like in last year’s floods,” locals said.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
In view of the flood-like situation, the Department of School Education Thursday decided to close down the schools situated along the river banks. “As precautionary measures all schools located near the river embankments were directed to close down for a day,” said an official.
They said the schools would operate normally from Friday.
HIGHWAY
The Srinagar-Jammu highway was blocked at several places due to overnight incessant rains. “Landslides occurred at several places on the highway including Gungroo, Panthal, Khoni Nallah, Seri Karole and Peera,” a traffic official said.
However, the official said personnel of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) have been put into action and all the stranded vehicles were cleared by the evening.
RAIL SERVICE
The Qazigund-Banihal rail service was suspended on Thursday after tracks suffered damages due to heavy rains. “During night, a small patch of railway track near Lower Munda skidded off due to heavy rainfall which forced us to stop train services toward Banihal,” a railway officer said.
However, the official said Baramulla-Qazigund train functioned as per normal routine. “Barring the Banihal route, the railway service will operate normally tomorrow,” official said.
