J&K facing danger of flash floods

With water levels rising in Srinagar and low-lying areas due to torrential rains, people in Kashmir have come to fear a September-like floods in the state.

Reports said the rains lashing the state since Saturday evening triggered landslides in many areas damaging dozens of houses, even as authorities evacuated people from places in danger of being engulfed by floods to safety.

Witnesses told Deccan Herald over phone that some families were shifting their belongings to upper stories of their houses. Most of the people from the worst-hit areas like Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Shivpora and adjoining areas are vigilant while keeping their eyes on the breaches which occurred during the last year’s floods.

The valley has been receiving heavy rainfall since Saturday afternoon, leading to a sudden surge in water level in rivers, streams and rivulets.

Rains have also forced closure of the strategic Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which, an official spokesman said, was shutdown due to landslides in several areas.

Bad weather also forced officials to postpone board and university exams, even as the MeT department predicted moderate to heavy rainfall in the state until April 4 that could trigger landslides and flash-floods in several vulnerable areas.

In a statement, Meteorological Department director Sonam Lotus said two western disturbances occurring in succession are likely to hit Jammu & Kashmir and adjoining areas from March 28 evening till April 4 with occasional breaks.

“Under the influence of these weather systems, moderate to heavy rain and snow (on hilly areas) will occur at most places in Kashmir & Jammu regions and at a few places in Ladakh region,” he said adding heavy rain or snow is likely on March 29, April 1 and 3.
The incessant rainfall has inundated several low-lying areas of Srinagar including Rajbagh and Bemina areas, the worst-hit areas in September’s unprecedented floods.

Roads in commercial hub of Lal Chowk and the adjoining Regal Chowk are also water-logged forcing shopkeepers to shift their goods to first storeys of the buildings.

Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh informed the Legislative Assembly that administration was on alert in the wake of heavy rains and the situation is being monitored continuously.

He asked people not to panic and assured that all precautionary measures have been put in place.

Singh said Jehlum was flowing below danger mark and information on its water levels water is regularly relayed to the control room.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed flew to Srinagar from Jammu to monitor the situation arising due to incessant rains in the Valley.