Authorities declare flood in Kashmir Valley

Srinagar, March 30 (IANS) Authorities on Monday declared flood in the Kashmir Valley, asking people living close to the banks of the Jhelum river to exercise extreme caution and move to safer places.

"Flood level was 22.8 feet (status red) at Sangam (Anantnag), 19 feet (status red) at Ram Munshi Bagh (Srinagar) and 11.55 feet (status green) at Ashim (Bandipora) today (Monday) morning."

"All officials connected directly and indirectly with flood control operation have been ordered to report for duty and remain available at their places of posting," a top divisional administration official told IANS here.

"People living along the banks of Jhelum are advised to exercise extreme caution. Moving to safer places from vulnerable areas is advised," he added.

People living in flood-prone areas of Srinagar city, especially those in Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Gogjibagh, Wazir Bagh and some other places have already started migrating to safer places since Sunday evening.

Many shopkeepers in the Residency Road and Lal Chowk commercial hub of the city were seen shifting merchandise to safer places, engaging load carriers for the purpose.

These areas had been the worst hit during the unprecedented floods last September.

Over 80 public and private properties suffered partial or total damage because of incessant rains during the last two days in the Valley.

The strategic Jammu-Srinagar highway has also been closed since Saturday. Authorities in Jammu said the highway would remain closed today (Monday) as well.

An avalanche warning was also sounded in the higher reaches of the seven districts in the state.

All examinations scheduled have been postponed up to April 3.

Inter-district connectivity has also been badly affected in the Valley.

Srinagar-Gulmarg, Srinagar-Kupwara and Srinagar-Bandipora roads have been blocked due to flash floods and washing away of some bridges and culverts on these roads.

Meanwhile, the local weather office has forecast improvement in weather from Monday.

"There would be decrease in precipitation from today (Monday). Another western disturbance is likely to hit the state on April 2, but the intensity of that western disturbance is going to be much less than the one that had been active here during the last four days," Sonam Lotus, director of the local Met Office told IANS here.