Jammu and Kashmir state government declared flood on Monday morning after widespread torrential rain lashed the hilly state for three consecutive days. As a result, Jhelum River in the valley has been flowing above the danger mark. Several areas of Srinagar and nearby Sangam have been inundated in flood waters.
Reportedly, several people are feared to be dead as three houses collapsed due to landslide in Budgam district. Around 60 people are expected to be trapped under the debris.
According to local authorities, the situation in the state is alarming as the water level of river Jhelum on Monday morning had reached 22.30 feet that is 1.3 feet above the flood level and 0.7 feet below the danger mark. Similarly, water level at Ram Munshibagh in Srinagar was recorded at 18.55 feet, which is also slightly higher than the flood alert level.
According to Skymet Meteorology Division in India, weather conditions are expected to get better today but light rain will continue over the region. However, it will be a brief respite as heavy rain will once again commence after next 48 hours.
Warning have been issued and people living in the low lying areas adjoining the river have been asked to move to safer places. Around 100 personnel of National Disaster Response Team (NDRF) have been pressed in for rescue operations and several more teams are on stand-by. “We have kept boats and buses ready for any evacuation from the low-lying areas,’’ Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Farooq Lone told media.
In wake of the inclement weather conditions, arterial Srinagar-Jammu national highway continues to be shut due to landslides for the third consecutive day.
Severe weather has caused panic among the people, as the heavy rain has revived fears of the September 2014 devastating floods that had left 250 dead and destroyed thousands of homes in the valley.
