Flood alert in Kashmir as Jhelum river crossed danger mark; schools closed, Governor calls emergency meeting

Authorities have sounded a flood alert in Jammu and Kashmir as Jhelum river crossed danger mark in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district due to heavy rains over the past two days.

All schools in Kashmir division are closed today in view of the inclement weather. Darhali river in Rajouri is overflowing due to heavy rainfall.

Srinagar Police announced that all schools in Kashmir division will remain closed as a precautionary measure. “In view of the incessant rains, inclement weather and as a precautionary measure all schools in Kashmir division to remain closed today,” Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Syed Abid Shah told ANI.

The people living in areas along the embankments of River Jhelum, other streams and in low lying areas were advised to remain vigilant.

Governor NN Vohra has called for an emergency meeting at his residence to discuss the arising flood like situation across Kashmir after two days of continuous rainfall.

Kashmir valley experienced rainfall over the past three days and the downpour intensified in many parts, including the summer capital of the state, yesterday.

The rising water levels induced fear among the valley residents of a re-run of 2014 floods that caused widespread devastation and left over 300 persons dead.

An official of the MET office said the weather was likely to improve today.

Around 10,000 yatris are putting up at the Baltal base camp after the trek to Holy Cave was damaged at some places due to the heavy rainfall.

Over 2,000 Amarnath pilgrims, who were part of the third batch, are also left stranded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway as heavy rains triggered landslides at several places.

District Development Commissioner, Ganderbal,  Dr  Piyush Singla told DNA that small bridge was also washed away and track is slippery and slushy. So we have halted the Yatra at the base camp. “All Yatris are safe and every facility is being provided to the pilgrims,” he said.

Pahalgam one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra which commenced yesterday received 27.8 mm of rains.

The pilgrimage had to be suspended from both Pahalgam and Baltal routes due to incessant rainfall in the valley. The yatra was suspended due to heavy rainfall along the entire route to the cave shrine, an official of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) said.

He said 1,263 pilgrims had set off from the Nunwan base camp in the morning but were asked to halt at Sheshnag till the weather improved.

(With agency inputs)