Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Sept 10: The Government today sounded flood alert in Kashmir valley after flash floods and rising water level of river Jhelum and its tributaries despite improvement in weather this afternoon.
The heavy and incessant rains across Kashmir valley since Friday submerged low lying areas of Kashmir valley especially in the outskirts of Srinagar where most of the unplanned colonies have come up on wetland.
The Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Kashmir sounded flood alarm in district Srinagar as the water gauge at the Ram Munshi Bagh crossed 16 feet but was still 2 feet below danger mark. The divisional administration has asked people living in temporary sheds along River Jhelum to shift to safer locations.
The Government has directed all the Sector Officers, Beat Officers and other field staff to report their respective sectors and beats for flood duty immediately so as to deal with any eventuality.
The Meteorological office that had issued a warning of heavy rain at many places in the last 48 hours, today said that the weather is set to improve. The rains have now stopped and weather has shown some improvement but cloud cover persists over the Valley.
Sonam Lotus, Director of the local Met office said here that there will be an overall improvement in the weather from Monday afternoon. “Although the sky would remain cloudy, there will be decrease in precipitation from afternoon onwards,” he added.
Meanwhile, 4 persons were rescued from Veshew Nallah in South Kashmir district of Kulgam after they were trapped in flash floods last night. These 4 trapped persons were rescued by the Disaster Rescue Operation Team.
Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Jahangir Mir, was overseeing the rescue operation. He visited the spot along with the Disaster Rescue Operation Team of different departments besides Police party headed by SP Kulgam, Army and CRPF.
After the rescuers failed to rescue the four trapped persons, Jawahar Mountaineering Institute Pahalgam provided Rafting Boats for the rescue operation which ultimately led to the success of the operation.
The District Administration Kulgam issued an Advisory to the people in general not to move near to Nallahas/streams in view of continuous rains and apprehension of flash floods or establish/install any kind of tents at the bank of Nallahs by the Bakerwals/Nomadics, for safety of life and property of the people.
The rains across the Valley have damaged the standing rice crop across Valley. The paddy fields have been submerged at several places and farmers have suffered heavy losses. Paddy is a major produce of Kashmir and is mostly grown in low lying areas of the Valley.
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