Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Aug 18: Even as intermittent rains lashed several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, the authorities ruled out any immediate flood threat in the Valley, saying water levels in the Jhelum and its tributaries remain well below the danger mark.
However, in Jammu’s Poonch district, rivers witnessed a sharp rise with the Suran crossing the danger level before receding slightly.
An official said that the Jhelum and its tributaries are being continuously monitored, with all levels currently below the alert threshold.
According to the gauge readings of earlier today available, river Jhelum stood at: Sangam (21’/25′) = 1.89 ft; Pampore (4.5/5.0) = (-)0.59 m; Munshi Bagh (18’/21′) = 4.47 ft; Asham (14.0’/16.5) = 3.69 ft.
For tributaries, the data showed: Vishow Nallah at Khudwani (7.75/8.50) = 2.44 m; Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi (5.4/5.7) = (-)0.36 m; Lidder Nallah at Batkoot (1.5/1.65) = 0.17 m; Doodhganga Nallah at Barzulla (3.65/3.8) = 0.60 m; Sindh Nallah at Doderhama (3.65/3.9) = 0.75 m.
Officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) Department Kashmir said they are continuously monitoring gauge levels across Jhelum and its tributaries.
“At present, the situation is under control and there is no flood threat in the Valley. People living near streams and rivers are advised to stay alert,” he said.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif Keng also ruled out the possibility of a major flood situation in J&K. “There is no flood threat in either the Kashmir or Jammu region. Overall rainfall will remain moderate, though a few pockets may witness intense showers capable of triggering flash floods,” he said.
He added that while intense showers may occur in Bandipora, Ganderbal and Srinagar by Tuesday morning, such events are expected to remain localized.
Clarifying cloudburst concerns, Faizan noted that every intense shower is not a cloudburst. “A cloudburst is when rainfall exceeds 100 mm in an hour. Videos emerging from Warnow Lolab do not suggest a cloudburst event,” he said.
Meanwhile, reports from the Jammu division said the Suran River in Poonch crossed the danger mark of 12 ft earlier in the day before water levels decreased. The Poonch River was flowing just below the alert level by evening, while the water level at Mendhar dropped well below the alarm mark.
