Kashmir on flood alert after Jhelum overflows

Kashmir was on flood alert on Thursday as several parts of the valley were inundated due to overflowing of Jhelum and various streams and rivulets following incessant rains.

Several bridges and roads have been washed away in south Kashmir with Tral area in Pulwama district bearing the brunt of the flash floods, officials said on Thursday. There were unconfirmed reports of some nomads being trapped in flood waters in the Chamgund area of Kulgam district.

A flood alert was sounded for Anantnag and Pulwama districts after Jhelum breached the danger mark as heavy rainfall lashed the region. Jhelum was flowing at 27.15-ft, 4.15-ft above the danger mark, at Sangam at noon on Thursday, they said.

In Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, the river had risen to 20.70-ft, almost two feet above the danger mark, the officials added. The MeT department has predicted more rain over the next 48 hours, raising concerns in the valley which was hit by unprecedented floods in September last year.

Several areas of Anantnag district, including Nai Basti, Takia Behrampora, Shamsipora and Hassanpora, were flooded due to the overflowing Jhelum river and its tributaries, officials said. Some parts of Kulgam district, including Qoimoh, Mir Bazar, Asthal and Devsar, were also inundated as the Vaishav stream breached its banks, the officials said.

The water level in the Jhelum and its tributaries rose sharply following heavy rainfall since yesterday. Minor breaches have been reported in embankments of water bodies at some places, but officials of Flood Control department have plugged these, the officials said.

Meanwhile, the divisional administration reviewed the situation at a meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon at 4.00 A.M. on Thursday. People living in and around flood-prone areas of Anantnag and Pulwama districts have been advised to shift to safer areas. 

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