Jhelum Crosses Danger Mark in South, Touching Alert Level In Srinagar
SRINAGAR After poor winter season that brought Kashmir to the brink of drought, the rains from last few days have put the Valley on the edge of flooding. The flood has already been declared in South Kashmir as river Jhelum breached the danger mark of 21-ft at Sangam at around 6 p.m. Friday in Anantnag district while it was touching flood alert level in Srinagar at 9 p.m.
According to an official of Irrigation and Flood Control Deptt, Kashmir, the river Jhelum was flowing at 23.03-ft at Sangam at 9 p.m. which is above the mark of 21-ft at Sangam when flood is declared in South Kashmir.
The habitation residing along the embankments of River Jhelum / Nallahs and in low lying areas of South Kashmir are advised to remain vigilant, Chief engineer Irrigation and Flood Control said. Besides the staff deputed on flood duty in South Kashmir is directed to report to their respective sectors/beats, he added.
The river Jhelum was flowing at 16.23-ft at Ram Munshibagh at 9 p.m, the official said. The flood is sounded in Central Kashmir when level crosses 16 ft and flood is declared when it surges over 19 feet, the officials said.
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At Asham in Bandipora district, the official said, the water level of Jhelum was 5.58 -ft against 13-ft mark when flood alarm is sounded in north Kashmir. The flood is declared when the level at Asham crosses 14-ft mark.
Regarding some tributaries, the official said, the water level at 9 p.m. in Vishow Nallah at Khudwani was 8.07 m, 4.21 m in Rambiyara Nallah at Vachi while the nallah Lidder at Batkoot was at 1.61m.
Originating from Kousarnag in Aharbal, gushing waters of Vaishaw Nallah triggered the 2014 flood in Kashmir.
Watch Gushing Water of the Vaishaw Nallah Following Heavy Rains
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Report said that the gushing water of the nallah following heavy rains since last night washed away many diversions in Kulgam district. These diversions were constructed following washing away of many bridges in 2014 flood.
Moderate to heavy rains lashed several parts of the Valley, including the summer capital here.
Since June 27 till 2 p.m Friday, director metrological department said Pahalgam received 58mm rainfall, Chandanwari:22mm, Anantnag:76mm, Panjtarni:82mm, Srinagar:22mm, Baltal:11mm, Batote:117.6mm, Ramban:93mm,Pulwama:42mm, Gund:68mm, Jammu:46mm and Kathua 20mm.
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There is the interaction of monsoon cloud and monsoon wind– and western disturbance — easterly and westerly which brought the moisture from Arbian sea and Bay of Bengal also and due to their convergence the rainfall occurred here.
Meanwhile, Police said that it with the help SDRF rescued 165 students of government Boys School Hirpora, Shopian who were trapped in the deluge because of flood in river. Six persons trapped in river Tawi because of flash floods were also rescued by a team of SDRF and Civil Defence in Jammu.
Man Washed Away In Poonch
A 25-year-old man was killed due to flash floods caused by incessant rains in Surankote area of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reports said that the heavy rains in the border district caused the flashed floods and landslides since morning.
In the meantime, the youth got struck on the bank of a river and finally washed away and drowned in the local nallah at Surankote.
The body for some time disappeared but later appeared some distance away, they said. The locals informed the police who immediately reached the site and recovered the body.
Station House Officer (SHO), Surankote, Mohammad Anzar Mir confirmed the incident and said that the body was recovered from the nallah despite inclement weather.
“The identity of the deceased is being ascertained,” he said, adding that body has been taken to Sub-district hospital Surankote for legal medico formalities.
Governor Reviews Flood Preparedness
In view of the situation arising due to incessant rains lashing Kashmir valley, Governor N N Vohra on Friday evening reviewed the flood preparedness with the Advisor B B Vyas and officers from other concerned Departments.
The Governor directed the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and all Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir division, to establish Control Rooms and notify helpline numbers for the information of the general public.
Earlier in the day, on the directions of the Governor, a team of officers from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department carried out a safety audit of the embankments of the rivers and Nallahs for any corrective action that may be required to be taken. Chief Engineer I&FC Kashmir was directed to deploy teams all along the river embankments to ensure that all the vulnerable spots are treated and the embankments are immediately strengthened wherever required.
Secretary Irrigation and Flood Control also undertook extensive tour of Sangam area for assessment of the situation.
The people living along the embankments of River Jhelum/Nallahs and low lying areas of South Kashmir have been asked to remain vigilant.
All Deputy Commissioners have been asked to keep adequate supplies available at rescue/relief shelters and to maintain a close watch on the vulnerable and critical areas. Commissioner SMC and Deputy Commissioners have been advised to ensure that dewatering is started immediately in low lying areas.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar has also visited Lasjan to address issues relating to strengthening of river embankments.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast improvement in weather from Saturday.
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