Rain halts, Jhelum flood threat subsides

Tribune News Service
Srinagar, June 13

Fear of floods subsided on Thursday as rainfall stopped and water level in the Jhelum river, which flows from south to north Kashmir, and its tributaries receded below the danger level.

The water level at Sangam in south Kashmir had reduced from 19.20 feet on Wednesday morning to 15 feet on Thursday evening. 

“Public in low lying areas has been advised to remain alert. However, there is improvement in weather and no substantial rainfall has been reported,” a weather official told The Tribune.

“We were on alert for two days as water levels were dangerously increasing in Jhelum. Now, the water level has gone down and we are feeling safe,” Abdul Rashid, a resident of Amira Kadal, said.

Rashid said water level had been fluctuating in Jhelum due to the unexpected rain in Kashmir in the past two months.

A rare snowfall was also experienced over higher reaches and Sonmarg tourist resort in Kashmir valley on Wednesday, while rest of the region received heavy rainfall that increased the water level of the Jhelum and its tributaries.

Heavy precipitation in the past one week has caused the water level of the Jhelum to rise drastically as it crossed the flood alarm level.

The unexpected snowfall was received at Sonamarg resort of central Kashmir, over its adjoining higher reaches and also in Drass, Kargil and Zanskar towns in Ladakh division. Srinagar was also battered by heavy rain, measuring 39.2 mm.

The water level also receded in the tributaries of Jhelum, which had inundated villages in Budgam, Tangmarg and Bandipora. 

Also, the unexpected spells of rain and hailstorms in the past two months have adversely affected apple and other crops.

However, the Western Disturbance that was responsible for this heavy spell of rain has almost moved out of the region, officials said. 

“The weather in the state is now going to be dry and pleasant for at least the next two days. This will give some time for the swelling rivers like Jhelum to recede, thus minimizing the fear of flood and inundation,” an official said.

However, they maintain that a fresh Western Disturbance would again approach the state by June 15 and result in rainfall in the region. “That spell of rain is going to be mild and will not pose any threat in terms of flooding or inundation,” the official added.