Nature’s wrath again: Govt declares flood in Kashmir as Jhelum crosses danger mark

By Newsgram Staff Writer

Within a span of less than seven months, Kashmir is flooded again due to incessant rains and over flooding of Jhelum.

State authorities on Monday declared flood in the Kashmir Valley and asked people living close to the banks of the Jhelum river to move to safer places.

"Flood level was 22.8 feet (status red) at Sangam (Anantnag), 19 feet (status red) at Ram Munshi Bagh (Srinagar) and 11.55 feet (status green) at Ashim (Bandipora) today (Monday) morning," officials handling the situation said.

"Centre is in touch with the state government of Jammu & Kashmir and closely monitoring the situation of increasing water levels in Jhelum River at Srinagar. No breach of embankment has been reported," the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement

However, as a precautionary measure, to assist the state government authorities, two teams of NDRF have been deputed and another four teams kept stand-by, MHA said.

"All officials connected directly and indirectly with flood control operation have been ordered to report for duty and remain available at their places of posting," a top divisional administration official told to a news agency.

"People living along the banks of Jhelum are advised to exercise extreme caution. Moving to safer places from vulnerable areas is advised," quoted IANS.

People living in flood-prone areas of Srinagar city, have already started migrating to safer places since Sunday evening.

The strategic Jammu-Srinagar highway has also been closed since Saturday. Authorities in Jammu said the highway would remain closed today (Monday) as well.

An avalanche warning was also sounded in the higher reaches of the seven districts in the state.