Waris Fayaz/ Mohsin Khan
Srinagar, June 22 (KNS): As incessant rains over the last four days lashed the Kashmir Valley, Jhelum River crossed flood declaration mark at Sangam in Anantnag and Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar even as classwork was also suspended upto high school level in several districts of Kashmir and Jammu division as well.
An official told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that incessant rains wrecked havoc across several districts of Kashmir Valley and also inundated several localities in North, South and
Central Kashmir areas of the Valley.
He said that the incessant rains triggered flood like situation in several villages of Pattan in Baramulla district, Bemina in Srinagar district and many south Kashmir areas, where several bridged were washer away by flash floods, triggered by incessant rains.
The official also said that Srinagar-Jammu highway and Srinagar-Ladakh highway was also closer fro traffic movement due to incessant rains and fresh snowfall in the upper reaches.
He further said that Bandipora-Gurez road was also closed for traffic movement after fresh snowfall at Razdan Pass and several upper reached of Gurez Valley including Tulail.
The official said that the incessant rains led to increase in water level in Jhelum river and other tributaries across the Kashmir Valley even as Jhelum crossed the flood declaration mark at Sangam in Anantnag and Ram Munshibagh in Srinagar.
Meanwhile, reports reaching KNS said that unseasonal snowfall and heavy rains in the upper reaches of Pir Panjal area left nomadic families in distress as they along with their livestock got stuck in the snow.
They added that the unexpected snowfall in the area added to the miseries of nomadic families living in the area, however, deputy commissioner Rajouri had written to the Reasi administration for rescuing the stranded families.
Talking to KNS, chief engineer Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department Kashmir, Er. Naresh Kumar said that the overall situation in the valley was under control, however, water level at Sangam and Ram Munshibagh crossed flood declaration mark with some tributaries in the valley also crossing danger mark.
He added that there was no threat of floods in the Kashmir Valley as of now, while they were monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, deputy commissioner Kulgam, Dr Bilal Bhat told KNS that they were keeping a close vigil on the situation and teams were deputed on ground to assess the situation.
He said that there was a breach in Nallah at Chamgund in the district and a rescue operation was already started last evening, while people from low lying areas were being shifted to safer places.
He added that the situation was under control so far and urged the people to stay away from vulnerable spots. "Priority is to save human lives first and in case of any emergency, people can contact our nearest helpline centre for early redressal,” he said.
Meanwhile, Irrigation and Flood Control Department Kashmir also asked the people living in low lying areas in South and Central Kashmir along river Jhelum to be vigilant as the water level crossed flood declaration mark in Sangam and Ram Munshibagh. (KNS)