Flood threat averted in Kashmir as water level recedes in Jhelum, other water bodies

In a significant relief for Kashmir, the threat of flooding was successfully averted on Tuesday as water levels receded in major water bodies, including the Jhelum River. However, the region faced a new challenge as the 270-kilometer Srinagar-Jammu highway remained closed due to triggering of major landslides at multiple locations, officials reported.
Over the past three days, continuous rainfall had posed the danger of floods in various areas of the valley. The situation improved on Tuesday with a significant decrease in water levels in the Jhelum and other water bodies, according to the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. The Jhelum’s water level touched the 18-foot mark, the threshold for announcing a flood alert, at Ram MunshiBagh in Srinagar.
According to the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the water level of the Jhelum touched the 18-foot mark, the designated level for announcing a flood alert, at Ram MunshiBagh in Srinagar at around 8 am. The water level of the Jhelum also crossed the flood mark at Pampore in Pulwama district.
Chief Engineer at the Irrigation and Flood Control, Kashmir,Naresh Kumar told Rising Kashmir that the water level at Sangam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag has started receding and “we are expecting the water level to recede in next few hours,” he said.
“We are maintaining a high alert to keep an eye on the situation across the valley. Advisories have been issued in almost every district, and the staff has been asked to remain on night patrolling,” Chief Engineer said.
Meanwhile, the authorities have advised residents of the low-lying areas and along the embankments of the river and streams in central Kashmir to be vigilant.
Due to heavy rains in the past three days several low-lying residential localities were inundated in Kashmir. The schools have been shut across Kashmir on Tuesday due to the bad weather.
While sharing the gauge level at 8:00 pm of river Jhelum at Sangam (21’/25′) 4.53ft, Pampore (4.5/5.0) 4.39m, MunshiBagh (18’/21′)17.34ft, Asham (14.0’/16.5)11.78ft and Wular lake (1578.00) 1577.52m.
VishowNallah at Khudwani (7.75/8.50)=4.78m, RambiyaraNallah at Wachi (5.4/5.7)=0.75m, LidderNallah at Batkoot (1.5/1.65)=0.31m, DoodhgangaNallah at Barzulla (3.65/3.8)=1.36m and Sindh Nallah at Doderhama (3.65/3.9)=1.62m.
Meanwhile, twelve houses suffered damages due to heavy rains in Kishtwar district, prompting the authorities to put the disaster response machinery on high alert.
As per reports, around one dozen houses in Tehsil Nagseni, Mughalmaidan and Kishtwar areas were damaged. A kaccha house was fully damaged in tehsil Nagseni, while seven houses and two mud houses were partially damaged in tehsil Mughal Maidanin flash floods .
Similarly, a house and a cow-shed suffered major damages, while a mud house and private school building were partially damaged in Kishtwar tehsil.
The district administration promptly relocated the affected families to nearby safe places, while the Red Cross team is actively involved in delivering relief material and essential support to the affected people.
Around 250 sheeps of tribals washed away due to heavy flood and landslide at KoundiNala , Karol areas of district Ramban. They have appealed to the LG administration to grant relief in their favour.
Meanwhile, Director MeT Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told Rising Kashmir that they were expecting improvement in prevailing weather conditions from Wednesday till May 10with afternoon thundershower activity at a few places.
In the last 24 hours, Srinagar received 23.6 mm of rainfall, the tourist resort of Pahalgam received 40.8 mm, Verinag in south Kashmir 65.6 mm, NowgamHandwara in north Kashmir 63.4 mm and ski resort of Gulmarg 21 mm.
Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority issued a medium- danger level avalanche warning for three districts in Kashmir division.
Avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2500 metres over Bandipora, Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in next 24 hours.
“People living in the specified areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas till further orders,” the spokesman said.
The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained closed for traffic for the second day due to the presence of landslides at multiple places along the highway. A large number of vehicles were left stranded along the highway.
A traffic police officer said that due to fresh landslides at more than 6 places, the highway has been blocked. “The restoration process is underway and it will take more time to restore the highway,” he said.
“The restoration work along the highway is under process and it will take more than 24 hours to restore the traffic on the highway,” he said, adding that earth movers, labourers are on the job.
Kashmir-bound trucks have been stopped at Qazigund junction, while stranded vehicles from Jammu have been stopped at Ramban, Udhampur, and other areas to avoid further congestion on the highway.
Another official said around 4200 vehicles are stranded on both sides of the highway and once roads are restored, stranded vehicles will be cleared on priority.
“Restoration work is in progress at Nachlana on NH-44. People are advised to avoid journeys on NH-44 till the road is clear,” he said.
A traffic spokesman said Incessant rains, over the last few days, in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir, have caused unprecedented damage to National Highway – 44, especially to the stretch falling in Ramban district, forcing its closure for traffic.
“In view of the damage at Ramban, the traffic shall remain suspended on NH-44 till Wednesday morning. Accordingly, the general public is advised to avoid journeys on NH-44, till the time confirmation is issued by the administration,” he said.
The police spokesman said the administration is making its best possible efforts to ensure the restoration of traffic at the earliest.