Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Sep 4: As the Jhelum swelled with floodwaters on Wednesday–Thursday night, thousands of residents in different parts of Srinagar, Pulwama and areas of South Kashmir were seen standing along the river bunds, their anxious eyes fixed on the rising current.
“We couldn’t sleep. Every hour, we came out to see if the water had crossed the bund,” said Shabir Ahmad, a resident of Lasjan. He said the sound of the river was like a roar in the dark. “No one had the courage to close their eyes.”
“My children kept asking, ‘Will our house also drown?’ I had no answer,” said Haleema, a mother of three from Soiteng.
The administration, however, has urged people not to venture close to the bunds, citing the dangers of sudden breach or spillage. “All necessary measures have been taken, and continuous monitoring is underway. People are requested to avoid unnecessary gatherings along riverbanks,” officials said.
For many, the sight of the swollen Jhelum brought back haunting memories of September 2014. “I still remember the night when water broke through like a monster. Watching the river rise now feels like reliving that nightmare,” said Abdul Gani, a schoolteacher from Pampore.
Meanwhile, officials said preventive evacuations are being carried out in vulnerable areas, with teams of SDRF, police, and other departments stationed near sensitive spots. Relief camps have also been kept ready.
Despite the reassurances, fear still looms in the air. “We trust the administration, but when the river swells like this, who can really sleep?” Shabir added, his gaze still fixed on the restless waters.
