Flood alert in Kashmir, schools closed, helplines set up

The water level at Ram Munshi Bagh (RMB) in the heart of the Srinagar has touched danger mark while it was constant at Sangam on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in south Kashmir.

After rain for few hours in the morning, the weather has improved though the Met department has predicted more wet weather during the next 24 hours.

There was slight breach in the bund of river Jhelum at Lasjan which was immediately plugged by the officials, locals and outside workers late last night.

An official of Flood Control Room (FCR) helpline in Srinagar told UNI that the water level at RMB has started increasing since early this morning. It was 21 feet which is being considered danger mark, he said, adding that at Sangam, it has started receding but was still at danger mark of 23 feet. Water level at Asham in north Kashmir downstream was increasing.

He said flood alert has already been issued in south and central Kashmir due to increase in the water level. Engineers and other officials of Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) have been posted at their respective place of posting to gear up for any threat of flood.

An official spokesman said that in view of the situation arising due to incessant rains lashing Kashmir valley, Governor N N Vohra on Friday evening reviewed the flood preparedness with the Advisor BB Vyas and officers from other Departments concerned.

The Governor directed the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and all Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir division, to establish Control Rooms and notify helpline numbers for the information of the general public.

He said a team of officers from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department carried out a safety audit of the embankments of the rivers and Nallahs for any corrective action that may be required to be taken. Chief Engineer I&FC Kashmir was directed to deploy teams all along the river embankments to ensure that all the vulnerable spots are treated and the embankments are immediately strengthened wherever required.

Secretary Irrigation and Flood Control also undertook extensive tour of Sangam area for assessment of the situation.

The people living along the embankments of river Jhelum, 'nallahs' and low-lying areas of South Kashmir have been asked to remain vigilant.