Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, June 25: For the first time since last year’s devastative floods in Kashmir, the Jhelum river was today flowing at 21.4 feet, 2.4 feet above danger mark leading to panic among residents living on either side of the river. And in South Kashmir many areas were inundated due to flash floods especially in Kulgam area due to bursting of Vaishaw nalla.
Jhelum was flowing at 27.10-ft, 4.10-ft above the danger mark, at Sangam this evening. The water level in Sangam had started receding by the evening as at noon it was recorded at 27.20 feet. In Srinagar it was flowing at 21.40 feet, almost two and a half feet above the danger mark. However, there was no rise in water level for past several years in Jhelum in Srinagar.
The rising flood waters led to panic in Srinagar with the school authorities closing down the schools. Majority of the schools were closed at around 11.30 a.m after flood waters rose alarmingly. The students were in panic and parents were seen rushing to schools to take children home leading to traffic jams and chaos on the roads.
Large number of people living in Rajbagh, Gandbal, Padshahibagh, Soetang Shivpora, Sonwar, Jawahar Nagar, Gogji Bagh, Mehjoor Nagar and Bemina along the banks of river Jhelum have fled their homes as these areas were worst affected by last year’s floods following dozens of breaches in Jhelum and flood channel banks in these localities.
Many shopkeepers have also shifted the merchandize of their shops to safer places as these shopkeepers have just re-started their businesses after last year’s huge losses.
In Bemina area, panic gripped after the waters from the flood channel got accumulated in Rakh-e-Gund Akshah behind SKIMS Bemina as the Hokersar has lost water carrying capacity due to massive siltation. The waters of flood channel instead of flowing towards Hokersar get accumulated in Rakh-e-Gund Akshah posing major flood threat to the people living in Bemina, Parimpora, Shalteng, Lower Zainakote and several other localities.
In South Kashmir districts of Kulgam, Anantnag and Pulwama flood alert was sounded after Jhelum and its tributaries crossed the danger mark after heavy rains.
In Kulgam due to heavy rains, the water level in Vaishaw and Kandow streams increased triggering flash floods. These floods washed away several diversions including vital Nehama Noorabad, Aridajan Damhal, Laisoo Damhal, Ashthal, Brazloo, Chamgund and Ari Gatun.
At several places, people voluntarily left their houses and moved to safer places due to panic caused by flash floods. The flash floods wreaked havoc and damaged crops in the district.
In Pulwama due to incessant rains, the water level in Romshi and other streams increased alarmingly leading to flash floods. The diversions at Chandargam in Tral area as well as at Mughal Pora, Rahmoo and Batagund were washed away due to flash floods.
The flood water entered Kakapora and Kadlabal areas of the district. The flood water hampered vehicular traffic at Charsoo and Kigam near Awantipora along Srinagar-Jammu highway in the district as the National Highway remained inundated. The traffic was diverted via Tral.
The flash floods damaged crops and orchards at Kakapora, Padgampora, Chursoo, Pampore, Ratnipora and Beighpora in the Pulwama district. A breach was reported from Sempora in Pampore leading to panic in the area.
In Anantnag district of South Kashmir flood water inundated several localities and villages. The flood water entered the localities at Mattan Chowk, Mehandi Kadal, Hanji Wara, Ashajipora, Aanchidora and Harnag. The flood water entered few villages including Aadar and Hassanpora of Bijbehera.
Two bridges at Tranz and Batapora in district Shopian were washed away due to flash floods in the Rambi Ara.
The MeT department has forecast wet weather over the next 28 hours. The officials, however, said that there would be isolated showers at few places in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, the divisional administration reviewed the situation during a meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon this evening to take stock of the flood situation.
Follow our WhatsApp channel