Srinagar, March 29 (IANS) The Kashmir Valley faces no flood threat, authorities said on Sunday, as many residents of Srinagar began shifting to safer areas as the water level in the Jhelum rose menacingly.
The Jhelum's level reached 12 feet at the Ram Manshibagh in Srinagar overnight following incessant rains, triggering panic in many parts of Srinagar that faced unprecedented floods in September 2014, killing over 200 people and affecting some 700,000 residents.
Sonam Lotus, director of the meteorological office, on Sunday dismissed any flood threat to the Kashmir Valley.
His word should bring relief to residents in Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar and Gogjibagh areas of Srinagar, many of who began shifting valuables to homes of friends and relatives in the old city part of Srinagar on Sunday.
The flood control department, which is on high alert, told IANS that the present water level in Jhelum was much below the danger mark of 18 feet at Ram Munshibagh and so there was no reason to panic.
"We have kept the entire administration including the flood control department on alert," Gazanfar Hussain, Kashmir's divisional commissioner, told reporters here. "There is no reason to panic."
Official assurances, however, mean little to the people of flood-prone areas where the September 2014 flooding caused widespread destruction. The scars and memories of that period still haunt the locals.
Lotus told IANS on Sunday: "Although there has been a rise in the water level of rivers and streams in the Kashmi Valley due to overnight incessant rains, there is no reason to worry.
"Every downpour and precipitation does not bring a flood. There is little likelihood of any flood in the valley because of the current western disturbance. There will be a decrease in precipitation tomorrow onwards.
"Another western disturbance is likely to hit the state on April 2 but that is going to be weaker than the present one.
"Therefore, I do not think we are facing a flood threat this time although mountain streams need to be watched for any sudden rise that can cause local damage and trigger landslides."
Lotus, however, advised people to exercise caution on the Srinagar-Jammu highway which he said could get blocked due to landslides in Ramban district.
PBKS vs MI: Suryakumar Yadav and Ishaan Kishan gave Mumbai their fifth win, Punjab bowlers bowled
Mumbai Indians registered their fifth win in the ongoing IPL season with a six-wicket win against
While there is a demand for making laws for population control in the country, politics has also
Based on the brilliant innings of captain Shubman Gill (90) and Sai Sudarshan (52), Gujarat Titan
Many countries of the world including India had imposed strict lockdown at different times becaus
The Supreme Court has held that if a person is not an accused, but it appears that he has committ
The Union Cabinet took three major decisions on Wednesday. It also includes the rejuvenation of r
IPL Auction 2022: Why did Suresh Raina remain unsold? Sunil Gavaskar says
Veteran cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has said that he was surprised to see Suresh Raina go unsold in
Ishan Kishan's first reaction came out when he was not selected for the Asia Cup
Ishan Kishan's first reaction has come to the fore after he could not make it to the Indian team
In Delhi's Daryaganj area on Sunday, the video of a couple entangling, abusing, and abusing the p
Government On Rashmika Mandanna Deepfake Controversy: Rashmika Mandanna recently came into the li
