With the improvement in the weather condition, the flood situation in Kashmir eased as Jehlum level receded slightly on Thursday.
The heavy rainfall on Wednesday led to the rise in the water level in different rivers and streams across Jammu and Kashmir, leading to a flood-like situation across the region.
Officials said water level of Jehlum at Sangam and Ram Munshi Bagh are showing signs of recession. The water level in Sangam is below the danger level while in Ram Manshi Bagh in Srinagar it was still above the danger mark in the evening.
Officials said the situation in Srinagar has improved with the water discharge gradually declining, reducing the immediate flood threat.
In the early hours today, there was breach in bund in Jehlum at Shalina and Zoonipora in central Kashmir’s Budgam
Due to the breach, areas of Lasjan, Soiteng, Nowgam, Vyethpora, Padshahibagh, and Mehjoor Nagar remain vulnerable to floods.
The villages including Shalina, Rakh Shalina, and Baghi Shakirshah were inundated following the breach.
The inundation has forced locals to shift to safer locations, with people moving livestock and belongings out of vulnerable homes.
Locals recalled the devastation of 2014 and expressed fear that the breach could intensify if not addressed promptly.
Authorities also shifted some locals during the night to designated rescue centers and safer locations.
Authorities deployed teams from the SDRF, NDRF, Police, and Revenue Department on the ground to carry out relief and rescue operations.
Several areas in South and Central Kashmir had witnessed overflowing waters after the Jhelum crossed the danger mark, forcing preventive evacuations in vulnerable localities and activation ofthroughout emergency response teams.
Rescue operations by police, SDRF, NDRF, and Army had been underway throughout the day, while divisional administration issued advisories urging people to stay cautious.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SDRF Masroor Ahmad Mir said nearly 600 to 650 civilians have been shifted to safe locations from the flooded areas in south Kashmir.
“The rescue operation is underway, given the flood situation. We have rescued many people in South Kashmir and relocated them to safer areas. 600-650 people have been shifted to safer locations,” he said.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg said nearly 9,000 people have been evacuated from affected areas in Budgam as a precautionary measure following a breach in the Jhelum embankment.
He urged people not to panic, assuring that the situation is under control as the water level is receding.
“Some areas of Budgam were inundated, but as a precautionary measure, we carried out evacuations last night itself. Around 9,000 people were safely shifted to avoid any loss of life,” Garg told reporters.
Meanwhile, 250 kms Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed for vehicular traffic today.
Over 3000 vehicles, including 500 fruit-laden trucks, are stranded on the Kashmir side of the Highway, officials said.
They said that the landslides and roads caving in at many places along the 260-km highway have led to the blockade of this arterial road.
“Efforts are on to make the highway motorable and restoration works are going on in full swing” officials said.
The authorities have also announced that schools in Jammu and Kashmir would remain closed on Friday also.
Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said a brief spell of rain and thunder is expected at a few places with moderate showers at one or two districts of Jammu division for the next three days.
“On September 8 and 9, a spell of moderate rain is expected over a few districts of Jammu division during 8th late night and 9th morning and improvement thereafter. Also, from September 10 to 12, a brief spell of rain and thundershower activity is expected at a few places,” he said.