Another rain burst triggers flood fears
Srinagar, Sept. 8 -- Incessant light rains lashed across Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday raising fears among people who have already been reeling in the aftermath of the floods of September 4.
Although, the water level of River Jhelum was receding in Sangam and Srinagar owing to three days of dry weather but the fresh rainfall in Valley prompted an increase of water levels in upper tributaries of the river in south Kashmir like Vishow Nallah in Kulgam and Lidder, Romshi and Aru in Ananatnag district.
In north Kashmir, the water level of Wular Lake has kept on increasing slowly despite three days of halt in rains. The lake has reached a level of 1577.600 m (at 5pm) and is close to cross the flood alert level of 1577.750 m.
Deputy commissioner Baramulla in north Kashmir, Minga Sherpa, told a local news agency that next two to three days are crucial as Wullar Lake has touched 15.77 m mark. Some families in Sopore, living in low lying and vulnerable areas, have been shifted.
"The water level (of Jhelum) in Sopore stands at 3.15 metres against the alert mark of 3.60, while in Baramulla it is 3.7 metres against the alert level of 4.5 metres. This shows levels remain below danger, but the next two to three days are crucial as Wullar Lake has touched 15.77 metres, just close to its alert mark," he said.
"The situation is under control. There is no need to panic, but those living near the riverbanks should remain alert," he said. Tehsildar Sopore, Sheikh Tariq said that since the water level in Jhelum has decreased in Srinagar there has been reduced inflow into the Jhelum in north Kashmir. He said that the water in Baramulla is going downstream fast reducing the chances of floods.
"The water from Wular is also moving out fast. The only worry is the fresh rains , rest there is no danger so far," he said.
The fresh rains were recorded across the Kashmir valley since morning while meteorological centre in Srinagar has predicted heavy rains in isolated places, said director MeT Mukhtar Ahmad.
Moderate rain and thunder at many places of J&K with possibility of brief moderate to heavy rain and thundershower over isolated districts of Jammu Div on September 8," he said.
In a swift response to a major infrastructure disruption caused by heavy rains, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has successfully restored the Gharkhal-Pragwal road, the only critical artery connecting the strategically important sector in Akhnoor area near here, the army said on Sunday.
J&K deputy chief minister Surinder Choudhary on Sunday conducted an inspection of the rain-affected areas in Jammu to assess the situation on the ground and extend support to the affected families.
Highlighting the need for long-term solutions, the deputy CM announced the allocation of five marla plots on stable land to affected families, subject to feasibility tests by the department of geology and mining....
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