Flood threat pushes south Kashmir to edge

Anantnag, Jul 23: Continuous rainfall over the past several days has pushed major rivers and streams across South Kashmir close to flood declaration levels, triggering panic among residents.
The officials are monitoring the situation as the water level in the River Jhelum and its tributaries continues to rise. Low-lying areas are on high alert amid fears of further inundation if the rainfall persists.
Several low-lying areas of South Kashmir are witnessing waterlogging. Orchards, paddy fields and residential localities have been inundated in many places, causing concern among farming families whose livelihoods depend on agriculture and horticulture.
A flood-like situation has emerged in Sakhras, where flood waters have entered residential areas, leaving families worried as the situation continues to deteriorate.
In Avoora, Pahalgam, the swollen Lidder River washed away a temporary diversion that had been constructed after the recent cloudburst to restore road connectivity.
The incident has once again disrupted movement in the area and highlighted the intensity of the river’s flow following continuous rainfall.
Authorities also closed the Sakdas Bridge for vehicular movement after the water level rose dangerously, saying the precautionary measure was necessary to ensure public safety.
Local residents expressed growing anxiety, recalling the devastating floods of previous years and urging the administration to remain fully prepared.
“We have not seen the rain stopping for days. Water has already entered our orchards and paddy fields. If it continues to rain through the night, the situation could become much worse,” said Ghulam Mohammad, a resident of Khudwani.
Another resident, Abdul Rashid from Anantnag, said people living near the river are spending sleepless nights. “The river is rising every hour. Families are constantly monitoring the water level. We request the administration to remain alert and ensure that rescue teams are kept ready,” he said.
Apple growers said prolonged waterlogging could severely affect orchards at a crucial stage of fruit development.
“Our orchards are already submerged at several places. Excess water can damage the roots and affect this year’s crop. We hope the rains stop soon,” said Mohammad Yousuf, an orchardist from south Kashmir.
Officials said field staff have been deployed to monitor vulnerable locations and appealed to people residing near rivers, streams and flood-prone areas to remain vigilant. They advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel near overflowing water bodies and strictly follow official advisories.
With the Meteorological Department predicting the possibility of more rainfall over the coming hours, anxiety continues to grow across south Kashmir as residents hope the weather improves before rivers and streams cross critical flood levels.
In view of the ongoing spell of rainfall across Kashmir the Department of Horticulture has issued a detailed advisory asking orchardists to take immediate precautionary measures to protect fruit orchards from weather-related damage and minimise potential crop losses.
The department has advised growers to ensure proper drainage in orchards to prevent waterlogging, particularly around the root zone of fruit trees, warning that prolonged stagnation of water can severely affect root health and overall plant growth.
Orchardists have also been urged to remove excess water from their orchards without delay to avoid damage to the root system and maintain the health of the trees.
Keeping in view the possibility of strong winds accompanying rainfall, the advisory asks farmers to provide adequate support to young fruit trees and high-density plantation orchards to prevent uprooting, bending, or other structural damage.
The department has further advised growers not to spray pesticides, fungicides, or foliar nutrients during rainfall, stating that such applications are ineffective under wet conditions and may result in unnecessary losses.
The advisory states that once the rainfall ceases and weather conditions improve, orchardists should undertake need-based plant protection measures strictly in accordance with the recommendations issued by SKUAST-Kashmir to safeguard orchards against pest and disease outbreaks.
To reduce the spread of diseases, growers have also been directed to maintain proper orchard sanitation by removing broken branches, fallen debris, and other damaged plant material from orchards.
The Horticulture Department has further requested orchardists to immediately report any significant damage caused by adverse weather to the concerned Horticulture Development Officer so that timely assessment, technical guidance, and necessary assistance can be provided.
The department also advised growers to remain in close contact with their respective Horticulture Development Officers for immediate field assistance, inspections, and expert guidance during the prevailing weather conditions. (KNO)