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Flood alert sounded as Jehlum crosses 16 feet mark in Srinagar

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 3/30/2015 12:38:56 AM

SRINAGAR, Mar 29: A flood alert was sounded by the authorities as the water level of river Jehlum crossed the 16 feet mark at Ram Munshi Bagh here tonight.
Giving details an official spokesman of district administration said people living on the banks of rivers, flood channels and nallahs have been asked to be on alert. He added that due to the flood alert all employees associated with flood duty have been directed to report to their offices immediately.
The water level of river Jehlum at Sangam in Anantnag was 18.40 feet at 9 PM. The water level was 9.50 feet at Asham in Bandipora. Flood alert is sounded when the water level touches 18 feet at Sangam in Anantnag, 16 at Ram Munshi Bagh Srinagar and 13 at Asham in Sonawari. Flood is declared when the water level touches 21 feet at Sangam, 18 feet at Ram Munshi Bagh and 14 feet at Asham. The danger level at Sangam is 23 feet, at Ram Munshi Bagh 19 feet and Asham 15 feet.
With no end to rains since yesterday, the water level continues to increase in rivers, streams and rivulets causing panic among the people. A flood like situation emerged in some areas of Baramulla district due to over-flowing of nallahs.
The flood water has also entered into Hamdania Colony in Bemina here after a breach in flood channel. Fearing a repetition of devastation of September floods, large number of people from a number of areas including Sonawar, Rajbagh and Jawahar Nagar moved to” safer places” along with their some of belongings. They could be seen moving and taking their belonging in vehicles.
A number of shopkeepers at Residency Road, Lal Chowk and other adjoining markets were seen taking their goods to safer places throughout the day. Lakhs of other people who were affected by last year’s flood were hoping for the rain to stop and weather to improve. The authorities also claimed that dozens of families were shifted to safer places by them today.
The water level is likely to increase as it is continuously raining. The Met officials predict some improvement from tomorrow afternoon. They have ruled out a flood threat. Large number of breaches in river Jehlum during September floods has caused massive devastation at Sonawar, Raj Bagh, Jawaharnagar, Lal Chowk and other areas. Even as these breaches were repaired but the residents fear that the breaches can reoccur.
Reports said due to incessant rains, flood like situation has arisen in various areas of District Baramulla.
In Pattan due to overflowing of Ferazpora Nallah, water has entered villages which include Aarampora, Habak Tangoo, Bonechakal, Shale-Bone, Ghund Khwaja-Qasim, Matipora and Trikolbat etc. Flood like situation has also arisen in Trikolbal village but the situation is under control. Meanwhile, 51,000 sand bags have been arranged and distributed in different units for flood control measures and more sand bags have been arranged to tackle the situation.
In Sangrama constituency flood water have entered in villages Alibagh, Haigam Radigam, Haretar, Puthhah. Moreover, due to overflowing of water in Nallah Ningle, Trafffic on Shrakwara Wagoora portion of Wagoora Putkha road has been stopped. Traffic has been temporally stopped near Mir Mohallah Wagoora where diversion of road has got damaged.
In Baramulla constituency a flash floods occurred and water entered in village Gutiyar, Khwajabagh, Noor Bagh but the nallah was cleared and water level receded. Due to rains water has over flowed at different places of the National Highway. In Rafiabad flood water entered in Nowpora, Nadihal Chijhama, Ladoora but situation is not worse. In village Vullarhama Rohama, 11 families have been shifted to safer places, while as in Dhobi Mohalla Dangiwacha one family has shifted to safer place.
In Gulmarg constituency seven families have shifted to safer places in Teran village, moreover the traffic has been stopped on Kunzer Bridge.Land slide has also occurred at Wahidina, Chandoosa, but no loss to property has been reported.
Police and civil administration has evacuated 237 families in South and North Kashmir and moved them to safer places, a police spokesman said.
Budgam police and district administration has evacuated 221 families to safer places since yesterday, among them 99 families were provided tents. The people has been shifted to schools and Panchayat Ghars and 68 families have opted to be with their relatives.
Sopore police also has evacuated 13 families from Panzila, Rafiaabad and Dangiwacha areas of Sopore district. Meanwhile Anantnag police has evacuated a family consisting of 06 members to a safer place.
Kupwara police has evacuated two families of Mauali Kasana son of Walia Kasana and Farooq Ahmad Kasana son of Ismail Kasana residents of Muqamrishi and were shifted to Middle School Rishawari which is a safer location.