Incessant rains trigger flood tizzies

Srinagar, Jun 29: Flood was declared in south Kashmir parts after water level crossed the danger mark of 21 ft at Sangam in Anantnag district on Friday evening. Mir Muhammad Shahnawaz, chief engineer Irrigation and Flood control, said flood has been declared in south Kashmir. He said the water level in Jhelum at Sangam has crossed the danger mark of 21 ft. “At 6 pm, the water level in Jhelum was 21. 33 ft,” he said. Meanwhile, here in Srinagar, incessant rainfall and increasing shoreline of Jhelum panicked residents living close to the water-body. Even thought, the water levels were above alarm level at Ram Munshibagh, the gauge reading was steadily increasing. The gauge reading of the river Jehlem has been consistently rising, creating panic among the residents and the fear of flood is once again knocking at the doors. The gauge reading of the river Jehlem at the Sangam is increasing and at 6 pm it was recorded as 21.33 ft while as the gauge reading at Ram Munshi Bagh at around the same time was recorded as 13.34 ft. The gauge reading at Asham around the same time was recorded as 4.83 ft. The gauge reading of the tributaries of Jehlem at 5 pm was recorded as; Vishow Nallah at Khudwani 9.24 m, Rambiyara Nallah at Vachi 3.63 m and Lidder Nallah at Batkoot 1.66 m. As per the Irrigation and Flood Control Department Kashmir, there is a possibility of a flood-like situation in the city. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department has asked people residing near streams in low lying areas to remain vigilant. In view of precipitation, forecast and rise in water levels the habitations residing along tributaries (nallahs) of south Kashmir, especially Vishow Nallah, Lidder Nallah, are advised to remain vigilant during the day and also at night today to avoid any sudden flood damages, the department said. Heavy rains lashed several parts of the Valley, including the summer capital here today, even as the authorities advised people residing near streams in south Kashmir to remain vigilant. Many parts of Kashmir received heavy rains since early morning, an official of the Meteorological (MeT) department said. He said south Kashmir’s Kokernag, in Anantnag district, received the highest rainfall of 63.4 mm till 8:30 am this morning, while the neighbouring Qazigund received 58.6 mm of rainfall Srinagar the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded 12.6 mm of rainfall till 8:30 am but the intensity of rains increased after that, the official said. He said Pahalgam one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra which commenced yesterday received 27.8 mm of rains. The rainfall has led to an increase in the water level in streams and rivers across the Valley, especially in south Kashmir. The water level has been sharply increasing since morning as there has been an increase of around one feet with each hour since 9 am. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department has asked people residing near streams in south Kashmir to remain vigilant. In view of precipitation, forecast and rise in water levels the habitations residing along tributaries (nallahs) of south Kashmir, especially Vishow Nallah, Lidder Nallah, are advised to remain vigilant during the day and also at night today to avoid any sudden flood damages, the department said.