NO FLLOD ALERT DECLARED YET, WATER LEVEL RECEDING AT SANGAM
Srinagar, August 15(KSNN) : With rains falling incessantly over the last few days in Kashmir valley leading to a manifold increase in water level in river Jhelum and all the major rivulets of the valley, Department of Irrigation and Flood control is optimistic that the water level would recede by today afternoon.
The water level increased manifold in river Jhelum by the incessant rainfall over the last few days and nearly touched the flood alert level at many observation points, the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control is confident that the water level would start to recede by Thursday afternoon.
“The water level had gone up to 22.9 feet at Sangam Gauge this morning, but has receded by one and a half feet to settle at 21.5 feet. We expect the water to recede further,” Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Javed Jaffar told Kashmir Scenario.
While the water had almost touched the Flood alert level of 23 feet, the department had begun the work of distributing sandbags in the low-lying areas of Shareefabad in Budgam district district, Pantha Chowk and Takan Wari in Srinagar district.
“The water level, however, continues to increase at the Ram Munshi Bagh gauge where it was observed at 19.7 feet just 15 inches short of Flood Alert level,” Jaffar said.
The Metrological Department has predicted light to moderate rain or thundershower for Kashmir region over the next 24 hours.
“If weather improves then there is no need to worry as the water has already begun to recede. There is no need to panic for increase in water level at the Ram Munshi Bagh gauge as the water is receding at the Sangam Gauge,” Jaffer said.
The water from river Jhelum has already submerged the some parts of the low lying Kursu Rajbagh area where the situation is tense as the residents found it hard to shift to upper part of their houses as the water had entered their homes at the break of dawn.
“Water entered our homes as we were leaving for Fajr prayers. Our entire ration and other things have become inaccessible as we could not shift everything to the attic,” a hapless Ghulam Muhammad of Kursu Rajbagh.
Meanwhile the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Farooq Shah while talking to Kashmir Scenario confirmed that water had entered some houses at Rajbagh .
“Boats have already been sent to the Rajbagh area. We are all geared up for the situation. Our Fire Services and Disaster Management Departments are vigilant and ready to tackle any eventuality,” Shah said.