Panic grips Kashmir as Jhelum flows close to danger mark

Divisional Commissioner describes situation ‘not very alarming’

Ahmed Ali Fayyaz

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Jammu, March 29: Kashmir Divisional Commissioner Gazanfar Hussain described the situation “not very alarming’ even as incessant rains forced the authorities to put the official machinery on high alert and the river Jhelum was flowing close to the danger mark around midnight on Sunday.

Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Farooq Ahmad Lone told this writer over telephone that the water level was 16.50 ft at 11.00 p.m. He said that flood would be declared if it crossed 18.00 ft while as the danger mark was at 23.00 ft. He said that the water level had been gauged as 19.70 ft as against the flood mark of 21.00 ft at Sangham in Anantnag district at 11.00 p.m.

“We have advised physically weak and infirm people to shift to the safer places as a precautionary measure. We have also equipped all Police Stations with vehicles and rescue and evacuation equipment and entire essential service staff is on round-the-clock duty”, Mr Lone said. He added that two relief camps were being set up at Sir Syed Convention Complex Sanat Nagar and EDI Complex Sempora in the capital city outskirts. “As of now, there are no reports of any breach of embankments. We just sent some Police teams on a thorough inspection of the river banks in Rajbabgh and Jawahar Nagar areas. They reported that the embankments were sound at all the vulnerable spots”, Mr Lone said.

Divisional Commissioner Gazanfar Hussain added:“We have set up special control rooms and all the concerned officials are on duty. We are reviewing the situation on hourly basis. So far the situation is not extremely alarming. In September, Jhelum had flown over 30 ft with 1,20,000 cusecs at Ram Munshi Bagh. We are far below that mark and we need not panic”. He said that the authorities were fully prepared to fight the natural disaster and all necessary arrangements had been put in place.

Reports from South Kashmir said that the situation was grim in several areas of Pulwama and Anantnag district. However, the rainfall turning into snowfall in Kulgam and Anantnag districts late this evening brought a bit of relief even as it could badly affect horticulture and agriculture.

JHELUM IN SPATE

 With the continuous rainfall for 24 hours tonight, water level in Jhelum was inching close to the flood and danger mark at both Sangham as well as Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar. At Sangham, the level, which was 10.65 ft at 10.00 a.m. on Sunday rose to 19.70 ft till 11.00 p.m. on Sunday, registering an alarming increase of 9 ft in 13 hours.

Likewise, at Ram Munshi Bagh, the water level rose to 16.50 ft at 11.00 p.m. It was 12.40 ft at 10.00 a.m. The increase of over 4 ft in 13 hours was described by the officials as ‘alarming’, fearing it could cross the danger mark of 23 ft in the next 24 hours at this rate.

Schools have been closed for Monday and Tuesday in the flood-prone areas and some examinations cancelled. Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has been closed for traffic due to landslides at several places though it was supposed to remain open after a day of repairs and lockdown on Sunday.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, who arrived in Srinagar from New Delhi and took a review of the situation at a high level meeting at Banquet Hall, is camping in the summer capital alongwith five other Ministerial colleagues including the Minister incharge Irrigation and Flood Control Sukhnandan Kumar.

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