Flood-like situation in J&K, Jhelum above danger mark in Srinagar

Srinagar: Incessant rain and untimely snowfall in the plains on Thursday led to a flood-like situation in Jammu and Kashmir with the Jhelum River crossing the danger mark in Anantnag and Srinagar districts and dozens of low-lying areas inundated in various parts of the valley.

However, the Met office said there would be overall improvement in weather from Friday.

Authorities said at 5 p.m. on Thursday, the Jhelum`s water level at Sangam in Anantnag was 19.7 feet, well above the flood alert mark of 18 feet, while at Ram Munshibagh in Srinagar city, the level was 17.7 feet, against the flood alert mark of 16 feet.

Most low-lying areas in Srinagar city including Bemina, Jawahar Nagar, Rajbagh, Batmaloo and others have been facing serious water-logging problems and residents complained the accumulated rain water had started entering their homes in these areas.

Traffic was adversely affected in the low-lying areas of the city including Budshah Chowk, Residency Road, and Jehangir Chowk etc as more than two feet deep r ain water had blocked the roads.

Many vehicles were seen stranded on water logged roads in the city.

Two passengers of a taxi that plunged into the swollen Brengi mountain stream in Anantnag district were still missing while nine others were miraculously rescued in this accident.

In Baramulla, the Ferozepur stream breached its banks and entered some villages in the area.

Tarzoo, Dangiwachi, Behrampora and some other villages had come under water in Baramulla, and police sent out rescue teams to these areas to help the marooned residents. 

Some bridges and road culverts connecting higher reaches with the mainland in the Valley have been washed away by swollen seasonal streams in these areas.

Meanwhile, 40 sheep perished in a house collapse caused by incessant rain in Reasi district of Jammu region.

Faced with untimely fresh snowfall in the plains and continuous rains during the last three days, the divisional administration on Thursday ordered closure of all schools in the Kashmir Valley till Monday.

Kashmir University also ordered cancellation of all exams scheduled on Thursday.

Most water bodies in the valley including rivers, lakes and streams were swollen.

The Flood Control Department on Thursday alerted all its staff to be present at their places of posting round the clock so that the water level in local rivers, lakes and streams can be regularly monitored.

The local weather office, however, had some good news for the flood-frightened residents in the Valley.

"There would be gradual decrease in snow and rainfall activity from Thursday afternoon and improvement in weather will start from tomorrow (Friday)," Sonam Lotus, Director of the J&K Met department told IANS on phone.

"Therefore, there is no need to panic, but at the same time, people living in low-lying areas might face inconveniences due to water-logging and problems allied with it," he added.

Met office had issued an adverse weather advisory which ends Thursday evening.

It had also forecast the likelihood of landslides on the Jammu-Srinagar highway in addition to hailstorm and windy gales during this period.