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.
Heavy rains continued to lashed several parts of the Valley, including the summer capital 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 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.
The Anantnag administration has also set up a joint control room with representatives from all concerned departments at the district headquarters for the general public to provide any assistance required in view of the incessant rainfall in the district.
The control room shall function round-the-clock to tackle the situation arising from the inclement weather situation prevalent in the district, an official said.
He said the general public can contact the Flood Control Room at 0193-222519, 9419006260, 7006294862, control room at the DC Office at 0193-222337, 9419047052, 9419036725, ADC Anantnag at 9419027001, PCR Anantnag at 01932222870, SDM Dooru at 8825017087, SDM Pahalgam at 9419055444, SDM Bijbehara at 9906577554 and SDM Kokernag at 94190408004.
Police has also set up helplines in Anantnag and Kulgam districts of south Kashmir for the general public to provide any assistance required in view of the incessant rainfall at these districts, a police spokesman said.
He said the general public is advised to contact helpline Anantnag on 9596777669 and 9419051940 and helpline Kulgam on 01931260486, 7051510660 in case of any assistance required.
The help lines shall function round-the-clock to tackle the situation arising from the inclement weather situation prevalent in these districts, he said.
He also said that police with the help of 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.
Meanwhile, in view of the situation arising from the inclement weather situation with incessant rains in the district, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Friday evening conducted an extensive inspection tour around the Srinagar city inspecting river embankments and important installations.
The DC also visited the Lasjan area to address issues related to strengthening of river embankments there.
He directed the Irrigation and Flood Control officers accompanying him to undertake immediate corrective action that might be required to ensure vulnerable spots if any are immediately strengthened wherever required.
Dr Shah said all I&FC officials on leave have been instructed to immediately report back to duty and that officers have been deployed at vulnerable spots to maintain vigil.
He also instructed for ensuring immediate dewatering wherever required particularly the low lying areas in the district.
The DC who also visited LD Hospital during the tour said the district administration is maintaining a close watch on all vulnerable and critical areas.
Pertinently, the district administration has already set up helpline numbers for the information of the general public requiring assistance in view of the prevalent situation.
Guv reviews flood preparedness
Srinagar, Jun 29: In view of the situation arising due to incessant rains lashing Kashmir Valley, Governor N N Vohra this 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, an official spokesperson said.
He said 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 stream 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.
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 also visited Lasjan to address issues relating to strengthening of river embankments.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast improvement in weather from Saturday.
