Flood alert sounded in South Kashmir after Jehlum crossed danger mark

Flood alert sounded in South Kashmir after Jehlum crossed danger mark

25 families rescued in Kulgam, 7 villages submerged

Saahil Suhail

Anantnag, September 3:

Authorities sounded flood alert in South Kashmir after river Jehlum crossed danger mark at Sangam due to incessant rains. Meanwhile authorities in Kulgam district managed to rescue at least 25 families after the village submerged due to flash floods in Nallah Visho.

Officials in Irrigation and Flood control department told Early Times that River Jehlum touched the danger mark at 1700hours at Sangam. Water level in Sangam in Anantnag district at 1700 hours was recorded at 22.60 ft. They said that flood alert was sounded after the water touched danger level of 18 feet at Sangam1500 hours.

Soon after the alert was sounded in South Kashmir, administration of all the four districts have setup control rooms to met any challenge, official sources told Early Times.

In Anantnag, Deputy Commissioner, Bashir Ahmad Khan who visited several flood prone areas of the district said that they advised people living on river banks to shift to safer places.

“A flood alert was sounded after Jehlum touched the danger mark.” DC Anantnag told media men. He said that they have setup control rooms besides have started making arrangement for those residents who are residing on river banks.

"We requested People living in along the banks of River Jhelum to shift to safer places," he added.

Flood like situation was also witnessed in Mir Danter, Hanji Danter, Manghal and Anchidora areas of the district.

“We were closely observing the situation.” Irrigation and Flood control officials told Early Times, adding School buildings will used in case of emergency.

In Kulgam due to flash floods in Nallah Visho at least 25 families trapped in Nowpora village of the distrcit were evacuated by the district administration. “Nowpora village of Kulgam district submerged due to flash floods in Visho Nallah.” A senior official confirmed, adding all the families were evacuated during the rescue operations and have been shifted to safer places. The Anantnag-Kulgam road was also closed after the water level in Kiomh increased, official reports said.

Closer of the road created chaos as the vehicular traffic remained suspend during the whole day. Villages including Aligutan, Adigan, Arpora, Kilam Nowpora, Redwani, Mishpora  Nowpora Redwani and Mishipora got affected due to increased water level. Residents of these villages have been also asked by the district administration to move to safer places.

In Shopian after the Shopian-Zawoora Bridge submerged, traffic on the road was suspended. Water level in the Rambiara Nallah has also increased, locals informed.

They said that due to flash floods in Rambiara vegetation at several places have sustained damage besides crops and fruits.

Meanwhile, Metrological department in a communiqué said that the weather with spells of rain is expected to continue in Jammu and Kashmir till Friday.

Sonam Lotus, director of the local weather office, said here: "The low pressure system is moving very slowly because of which the same weather conditions are likely to continue till Friday evening.”

He said that moderate rain continued in all the three regions of Jammu and Kashmir and is expected to continue till the weather improves, which according to the Metrological department is not likely to improve till Friday evening. "Intermittent rain will occur across the state till Friday evening," he said.