Owais Gul
Srinagar, Aug 28: After an uneasy calm over the flood threat for the last two days across Jammu & Kashmir, the situation has eased in both regions on Thursday, as the water levels in almost all rivers and streams have receded to a large extent, settling below the alert mark at most places.
People in Jammu as well as in Kashmir, especially those living close to water bodies, had sleepless nights over the last two days, fearing a 2014-like situation when the whole valley flooded, causing extensive losses across J&K.
According to reports, after receiving the highest-ever 380 mm of rainfall in 24 hours until yesterday morning, Jammu has shown improvement in weather conditions, with only 5.6 mm of rainfall recorded till this morning, and no precipitation recorded until the evening today.
Other stations, including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, also recorded no precipitation since this morning, allowing water levels to recede and thereby eliminating the threat of floods across the region.
An independent weather forecaster, Faizan Airf Keng, said that the water level has receded significantly, settling below the alert level. He said that the water level in Jammu is near normal, adding that in Kashmir, it remains above normal.
The water level in the Jhelum at Pampore is still above the flood declaration mark. It was recorded at 1587.674 m, while the flood declaration mark is 1587.184 m.
Similarly, at Ram Munshi Bagh, the water was flowing at 18.21 ft, which is 0.21 ft above the flood declaration mark. However, the water level has been constantly receding at both locations.
Moreover, at other stations, including Sangam and Asham, water levels are well below the flood declaration mark, eliminating the flood threat across the valley.
Earlier in the day, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Anshul Garg, said the administration is on full alert, with all departments working together to ensure the safety of people amid monsoon rains.
He said the public has shown remarkable patience over the last few days. “Teams from the Army, Police, SDRF, and civil administration are deployed on the ground. The Flood Control Department is keeping a strict watch on the Jhelum and its tributaries,” Garg said.
Notably, while the flood threat is nearly over in Kashmir, the weather forecast predicts intermittent rains till September 6.
Director of the Meteorological Department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said that a brief spell of rain and thunder is expected at a few places, mainly late afternoon and late night tomorrow.
“From August 30 to September 1, a spell of light to moderate rain, scattered to fairly widespread, with the possibility of moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, is expected in a few districts of Jammu division,” he said. “From September 2 to 6, a brief spell of rain and thunderstorms is forecast at a few places.”
The MeT has issued an advisory, warning of the possibility of moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms at a few places in the Jammu division from the early morning of August 30 to late night of September 1, and again early morning on September 2.
It also warns of potential landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, etc., at vulnerable locations, advising people to stay away from water bodies, nallas, river embankments, and loose structures. (KNO)
