The flood threat receded in Kashmir Valley on Sunday as water level plummeted in Jhelum River and its tributaries after stop hipage in rainfall and intermittent sunshine. This led to resumption of Amarnath pilgrimage from both routes leasing to holy cave in South Kashmir mountains.
Officials in the flood control and irrigation department said that water level receded below danger mark at Ram Munshi gauge in Srinagar. The water level has also receded at Sangam gauge in south Kashmir where it had crossed the red mark on Saturday compelling the authorities to sound a flood alert.
The weather has improved since Saturday evening in Srinagar,Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal and South Kashmir’s Anantnag districts that helped to resume the ongoing Amarnath Yatra that had been halted due to incessant rainfall and damage to the tracks along both its routes.
The meteorological department last evening predicted light to moderate rain or thundershower at many places.The department also predicted decrease in rainfall.
The authorities have already declared flood alert in south and central Kashmir after the rise of water level.
The habitations along the River Jhelum Embankment and Nallahs besides low lying areas were asked to remain vigilant and do not panic.
Governor NN Vohra in an extensive divisional level meeting at State Flood Control Room in Srinagar, reviewed preparedness of all the wings of Divisional Administration to meet any eventuality in the wake of situation arising out of flood in River Jhelum, officials said.
Vohra made an unscheduled visit to the Control Room, located at Hari Niwas Srinagar.
“This meeting reviewed every aspect of preparedness of the Relief Centres, being established all over the city, to receive and look after the affected population which would be shifted to these Centres as soon as the Jhelum river level crosses a given level,” the spokesman in a statement said.
“Governor is keeping constant touch with the key functionaries and has directed that Situation Reports should be sent to him thrice a day till the present situation eases, he said. Divisional commissioner Kashmir Baseer
Ahmad Khan said that as directed by the Governor the flood control drill underway at present will continue for about three months in order to address this situation by effectively keeping in view the ongoing monsoon season in the state.
He said dewatering efforts at several areas inundated from water-logging on Saturday are also rigorously underway and added that the situation having arisen at Rakh-e-Arth is also being well taken care of.
The Div Com said hourly reports about the situation and efforts on the ground as received by his office are immediately sent to the offices of the Chief Secretary and the Advisors to the Governor which are closely monitoring the flood control and rescue and relief operations underway on the ground.
The Government has set up round-the-clock multi-disciplinary monitoring system in various parts of the state. Seven teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and two teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are in place for rescue and relief operation beside control rooms have been set up at district and divisional headquarters to meet any eventuality. An official spokesman said that 140 NDRF and SDRF experts have been directed to remain vigilant to tackle the situation. 14 Emergency Centres set up in Srinagar, Pampore.
Meanwhile, Amarnath Yatra resumed from both Baltal and Sonmarg and Nunwan Pahalgam Base Camps. The weather in the areas was reported fair.
Officials said that over 7500 Yatris including about 1500 women devotees from Baltal Base Camp and about 8100 Yatris from Nunwan Pahalgam Base camp proceeded towards the Holy Cave. They said over 600 Yatris were transported through helicopter sorties from Baltal Camp upto Panjtarni for onward journey to the Holy Cave. A fresh batch of about 1900 Yatris reached Baltal Base Camp this afternoon.
In a tragic accident, five persons including a family of four died when their vehicle skidded off the road on Bandipora Sure highway.