Water level receding; may recede further: I&FC Dept
LG tours Srinagar city to assess flood preparations; Directs immediate assessment of damages caused by rain in J&K
Srinagar: The Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department Friday informed that water level in the river Jhelum and its tributaries which had increased due to continuous rains over the last two days has started receding.
“At Sangam, the level is now reducing and at present is 15.95 ft. as against the danger level of 21 ft,” I&FC department said in an official communique.
It said the gauge level at Ram Munshibagh is presently 15.77 ft. against the danger level of 18 ft. “However, the level of Ram Munshibagh, Srinagar is likely to increase as peak discharge from south Kashmir will reach Srinagar and move further towards north.”
The I&FC statement said as the weather forecast is being predicted favourable, the water levels are expected to reduce and therefore people are requested not to panic but remain alert and vigilant.
The statement further said that in case of any emergency people should contact Irrigation and Flood Control Department and District Administration of respective districts.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Friday conducted a tour of Srinagar city to take an on-ground assessment of the flood preparations and emergency response mechanism being put in place to deal with any eventuality that may arise out of torrential rainfall, an official press release informed.
It said he was accompanied by Advisor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Pandurang K. Pole, IG Kashmir Vijay Kumar, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and other senior officers.
During his tour, the Lt Governor visited Zero bridge (wooden), Munshibagh gauge, flood control rooms of I&FC near the wooden bridge; Emergency Operation Center at Hari Niwas and took first-hand appraisal of the situation. He was briefed about the situation and the various measures, including the technological interventions deployed by the department to mitigate any eventuality.
While taking stock of the Jhelum Flood Mitigation under PMDP, the LG was informed that under PMDP Phase-I, the carrying capacity of river Jhelum at Sangam has been increased from 31,800 cusecs to 41,000 cusecs. Under PMDP Phase-II, the said capacity will be enhanced from 41,000 cusecs to 60,000 cusecs.
The Lt Governor directed for expediting the process of planning and executing the works under PMDP and directed the Chief Secretary to initiate immediate assessment of the damages caused due to recent torrential rains in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions by taking a sympathetic view of the overall situation, the press release said.
