Heavy rains leaves Kashmir reeling, but no flood threat

Incessant rains since Saturday evening have triggered panic and fears of fresh floods in Kashmir which is still reeling under the impact of the September 2014 flood devastation.

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh informed the legislative assembly that administration is on full alert in the wake of heavy rains in valley and the situation is being monitored continuously.

He said people should not panic and assured that all precautionary measures have been put in place.

The spectre of the September floods has been reinforced by the MET office forecast, predicting rains until April 3 with occasional breaks in the downpour.

Water level in the valley’s main waterway, the Jhelum and its tributaries has been rising. Though the level of water is still four feet below the danger mark, the administration has geared itself up for any eventuality.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed dashed to Srinagar along with a team of four ministers to oversee the situation and set in motion measures to deal with the situation.

The ministerial team, along with the divisional commissioner of Kashmir, according to an official statement have been visiting various flood prone areas to ascertain the situation on ground and the precautionary measures being taken.

“The divisional commissioner has also asked all deputy commissioners to remain vigilant and inform people to take all precautions besides establishing control rooms at their respective district headquarters,” an official statement said.   

Panic has gripped the valley residents who are yet to come out of the debilitating blow dealt by the September, 2014 floods which inundated swathes of summer capital Srinagar including its elitist areas, the civil secretariat, the seat of power and other parts of the valley taking a heavy toll of lives, infrastructure and homes.

The rehabilitation efforts have been very slow and thousands of flood sufferers are yet to begin the rebuilding of their homes as the floods were followed by a long winter and the tardiness of the government relief.

The once fashionable city centre of Lal Chowk stands already inundated forcing the shopkeepers to begin shifting their merchandise to safer places.

“The drainage system in the area is clogged following the September floods and water has already entered our shops in Lal Chowk and its adjacent areas,” said Bilal Ahmed, a shopkeeper.

State Agriculture Minister Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura  informed in the legislative assembly that  221 families from different areas of the Budgam district in central Kashmir, whose houses have been affected due to land erosion and lodged in tents while others have been shifted to various school and government buildings.

The state police has set up a control room to monitor the situation and help people.