Alarm bells ring as water level rises in Vaishaw

Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, March 29

Alarm bells have been set ringing in parts of south Kashmir as water level in various rivers has increased following heavy rain in the region since Saturday evening.

The Meteorological Department has predicted inclement weather over the next few days.

The continuous downpour has led to swelling of water level in the Vaishaw Nullah in Kulgam putting people of the district in a state of caution.

As per reports, people living in Kellan Gund, Aadigutnu and Asthal villages might need to be evacuated to safer places if the downpour continues.

The Asthal village has been turned into an island with the only link to the area being washed away by the flash floods.

“The only bridge connecting Asthal village to the rest of the district had been washed away during the last year floods and a diversion was created later on to connect the village,” a local source said, adding that the alternate road also got washed this time around.

Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, Ravinder Kumar Bhat though maintained that the villagers for now were comfortable within their homes. “I have talked to them and the situation has been assessed by the experts. There is no need to panic,” said the Deputy Commissioner.

He, however, said a call to evacuate people from the village might be taken if the weather condition persisted.

Bhat also said two other villages, Aadigutnu and Kellan Gund, were being closely monitored. “The Vaishaw Nullah is in full flow and we might need to evacuate these two villages by tomorrow,” the officer said.

The two villages were the worst hit during the 2014 September floods.

Meanwhile, in Anantnag district, water level in the Jhelum was well below the danger mark. However, Hassanpora and Shamsipora villages, which are closer to Kulgam, have been reported to be in danger of getting inundated by the nearby Vaishaw Nullah.

Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Bashir Ahmad Khan said sand bag plugging was being carried out at a couple of places in the two villages.

Reports of water logging were also received from almost all the places in Anantnag and Kulgam districts. The administration, however, is yet to start any dewatering process in any of the places.

“It’s raining heavily which makes it almost impossible to carry out dewatering right now,” Khan said, adding that if weather permits dewatering would be carried out tomorrow.

In Pulwama district, several villages including Ratnipora, Triczal, Mohanvij, Dalbugh, Mirpura and Kuel have also been flooded with more than one foot water. The administration has made announcements for people to evacuate to safer places.

“We have thrown open all the schools in the area and people have been advised to move, in case they don’t find a safer place,” said an official in Pulwama.