Water levels rising in North Kashmir: Omar

Srinagar: Water levels in North Kashmir are rising which is a matter of concern, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said while hoping that it would not be as bad as in the rest of the valley.

The Chief Minister said the water levels are “receding” in central Kashmir but they are still above the danger mark and the government was waiting for it to go below the danger mark to “plug the breaches” on the banks of river Jhelum.

“Water levels are rising in some parts of North Kashmir. That is a matter of concern. We are hoping that North Kashmir will not be as badly affected as the rest,” Abdullah told PTI in an interview.

He said that as per the figures available with the state government so far, 129 people had lost lives in Jammu region whereas 30-35 people were found dead in Kashmir valley.

On the number of people rescued by various agencies so far, he said the Army and NDRF know the exact figures but he was aware of 50,000 people having been rescued by the Army and 20,000-30000 by NDRF.

Asked about the extent of loss of lives in the flood, he said “I am hoping and praying that the loss of life will not be as severe as we expect it. Because looking at the situation, the death toll is still remarkably low. I am hoping and praying that it will not be as bad some have been fearing.”

He said that “within the constraints of (the number of) helicopters, we are doing the best job possible,” when asked if the government was able to rescue enough people in the situation.

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