SRINAGAR: There is imminent flood threat in Jammu and Kashmir as the water level in rivers and streams across the Union Territory has significantly increased due to continuous downpour. The authorities have closed all educational institutions in the region while the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, the only road link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, is closed for vehicular traffic.
Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing continuous rainfall since yesterday. While it was raining in Jammu region from the morning, it started raining in the Valley from the evening. A MeT official said significant rainfall has been recorded in J&K since yesterday 8.30 am till 5.30 am today.
Many areas in the Kashmir valley witnessed a fresh spell of rain. In south Kashmir, Qazigund in Kulgam district recorded 90.6 mm followed by Kokernag (89 mm) and Pahalgam (64.4 mm) in Anantnag district while Srinagar experienced 46.1 mm of rainfall during the past 27 hours ending 11.30 am.
Due to the continuous rainfall, the water level in Chenab in Jammu region and Jhelum in Kashmir has increased. While the water in Chenab in Jammu and Udhampur has crossed the danger level and flood alarm mark in Jammu region, the water level is increasing in Jhelum in the Valley. The water level in Vaishow nallah in south Kashmir has risen significantly i due to continuous rainfall.
At 1 pm, the Jhelum's upstream gauge reading at Sangam in Anantnag was close to the danger mark of 25 feet and downstream at Ram Munshibagh in Srinagar was almost 17 feet, just one feet below the alert level and four feet below the danger mark.
According to independent weather forecaster Aadil Maqbool, the Vaishow nallah, Sheshnag Nallah and Lidder Nallah in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district have already crossed the danger mark. He said water levels of Jhelum at Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar are likely to cross the flood declaration mark today due to incessant rainfall.
He added that there would be no major improvement in weather condition till evening and downpour is likely to persist until then. “Some parts of Jammu and south Kashmir are likely to receive another round of heavy rainfall and the same is expected over central and few parts of north Kashmir,” Aadil said.
Authorities in Jammu have launched a multi-agency operation to shore up embankments near the damaged fourth bridge on the swollen Tawi river to prevent flooding in low-lying areas. Heavy rain on August 26 damaged the road near the bridge, leaving vehicles stranded. Police warned that a breach could inundate nearby localities, housing around 7,000 people and the Nehru Warehouse business hub. Residents have shifted women, children, and the elderly to safer places as a precaution.
Army engineers and civil agencies have covered the breach with waterproof sheets and sealed the damaged stretch with barbed wire. The fourth bridge has been closed again following rising waters. Jammu city also faces landslides on the Panjitirthi-Sidhra road, mudslides on the Manda-Nagrota stretch, and closure of a bridge on the Chenab at Akhnoor, cutting off key routes. Two houses collapsed in old Jammu, but three trapped persons were rescued.
In the wake of continuous rainfall, authorities have ordered closure of all educational institutions in the UT as a precautionary measure. Besides, all examinations scheduled for the day have been cancelled.
“In view of prevailing weather conditions in Kashmir, levels are rising in water bodies and rains are expected to continue till mid-day as per IMD. Field teams of administration are closely monitoring the situation and contingency plans are in place. People are advised to exercise caution and not venture near water bodies,” Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said.
The closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway has worsened the situation, with the Valley facing a spike in prices of fruits, vegetables and other essentials. The highway remains the crucial supply line for the region.
Jammu and Kashmir, especially Jammu region, has been battered by rains since mid-August and over 150 people have died in cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains in the region. Thousands of residential houses, bridges, roads and other infrastructure have been damaged, mostly in Jammu. The region is now bracing for another flood-like situation.
The administration has advised people to stay alert and avoid venturing near water bodies. The MeT has also warned of heavy rains and the possibility of cloudbursts, landslides and flash floods at vulnerable places due to incessant rains.
In Anantnag district, police rescued 25 nomadic families stranded under a bridge due to rise in the water level.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reviewed the situation arising from the incessant rains at a meeting, the CM's office said in a post on X.
Abdullah directed the administration to intensify the ground response, ensure clearance of waterlogged areas, safeguard essential services, carry out timely evacuations in critical zones, and provide immediate relief.
Officials said the incessant rains claimed the life of a mother-daughter in Kangri village of Sunderbani in Rajouri district early Wednesday.
The two died after the roof of their house collapsed.
At least 40 persons were trapped in Garkhal village of Akhnoor due to overflowing of river Chenab which was flowing four feet above the evacuation level of 42 feet this morning, the officials said, adding State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police teams have been rushed to the village for shifting them to safety.
Emergency helplines have been established in various police station areas of south Kashmir where the water level is rising significantly in the water bodies.
Police and civil administration have issued advisories to the general public, urging them not to venture close to water bodies in view of the inclement weather.
Four shuttle trains running between Jammu and Katra to help locals and stranded pilgrims were suspended on Wednesday due to heavy rain and flooding of tracks. The services, launched on September 1 and scheduled till September 15, were cancelled as rail traffic in the Jammu division remains disrupted for nine days following flash floods and track damage on August 26. Special trains have so far ferried 5,784 stranded passengers. The Vaishno Devi pilgrimage also remained suspended for the ninth day.
(With inputs from PTI)