TIA NEWS /
The water level in the river Jhelum at Sangam gauge in south Kashmir has crossed flood declaration level of 21 feet. The water level at Ram Munshi Bagh gauge in central Kashmir has also reached flood declaration level of 19 feet.
According to the latest data issued by Kashmir Flood Control department, the water level at north Kashmir’s Ashim gauge in Bandipora district has reached 10.75 feet, just around three feet below the level when flood is declared. The department has advised the inhabitants residing near the embankments of River Jhelum, nallahs and in low lying areas to remain alert and take safety measures.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has directed chalking out contingency plans for the flood-prone areas and make available nearby buildings in case of emergency evacuations. She chaired a high-level meeting in Srinagar to take stock of the situation yesterday. Ms Mufti directed for immediate constitution of a unified control room to monitor the situation arising out of incessant rains and unusual snowfall in the Valley for the past two days and take appropriate measures.
According to MeT department officials, Srinagar received 83.9 mm rain and snowfall over the past 24 hours. The incessant rains have forced closure of Jammu-Srinagar national highway as the downpour has triggered landslides and shooting stones at several places along the 300-km road.
At least 17 people were rescued by the police after they were trapped in flash floods in a river in Poonch district. A woman was killed in lightning in Rajouri. Police said, in another incident, 40 sheep were killed after a cow shed collapsed due to heavy rains in Shandi Balmatkote in Reasi district.
The incessant rains that lashed Kashmir since Wednesday morning caused flashfloods in South Kashmir areas, mainly in Kulgam district and also washed away many diversions, even as the water level of rivers and streams continued to rise. Officials, however, said the water level of Vaishaw Nallah in Kulgam—a main tributary of river Jhelum which witnessed an alarming rise in the afternoon—has “come down considerably” in the evening.