Heavy rains lash Kashmir valley, govt declares flood as Jhelum river crosses danger mark in Srinagar

Vehicles wade through a waterlogged road after the valley received heavy rainfall, in Srinagar on Sunday. (Photo:PTI)Jhelum river on Monday crossed danger level in Srinagar and Sangam area of South Kashmir with heavy rains lashing most parts of the state which sounded an alert asking people to move to safer places.

A senior official said water level of river Jhelum at 6 am at Sangam (South Kashmir) and Ram Munshi Bagh (Srinagar city) has touched 22.4 feet and 18.8 feet respectively. Danger level at Sangam is 21 feet and at Ram Munshi Bagh it is 18 feet.

Accordingly the authorities have declared that Kashmir has been flooded and people living in low lying areas. The government has put forth men and machinery into service to help the people affected by the floods. 

People living on the banks of the river Jhelum have been asked to remain alert and advised to move to safer places. Old persons and children have also been asked to shift to specially set up camps, a government spokesman has said, reported PTI.

He said all the employees deployed for flood control have been asked to report for duty immediately.

If the water level breaches 23 feet mark, the state will have to undertake a massive rescue operations and evacuate people from areas adjoining the river.

A city municipal corporation van passes through a waterlogged road after the valley received heavy rainfall. (Photo:PTI)Intermittent power cuts, landslides and water logging were witnessed in different parts of the Valley as heavy rains lashed the region, bringing back the dreadful memories of last year's devastating floods in the state that killed nearly 300 people.

The Met department has said that the wet spell will continue till next week. According to BP Yadav, director of Met department, the rains will continue to lash the state for the next 6 days, with forecast of heavy rainfall on Monday.

The situation has created panic in some areas and raised fears of fresh floods in the Valley.

The authorities however have tried to dispel the fears, saying there was no reason to worry.

Girls walks under umberalla as it rains, at Residency Road in Srinagar. (Photo:PTI)Minister of State for Flood and Irrigation Abdul Majid Paddar said the "Situation is under control. We are prepared for everything."

He said that "the chief minister and the cabinet minister have taken cognizance of situation and we are prepared for every situation."

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway was closed following landslides at a number of places on Sunday.

The road was closed on Sunday for repairs but fresh downpour has resulted in the arterial road remaining closed for the second day.

The Srinagar-Gulmarg road was also closed after a bridge in Kunzar village was washed away by the swollen Ferozepur Nallah.