Says level at all water bodies in Kashmir below warning level
SRINAGAR: The Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) department on Sunday said there is currently no immediate threat of flooding in the valley, despite heavy rainfall predictions for isolated areas of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly on April 28 and 29.
A senior official from the I&FC Department in Kashmir informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they are actively monitoring the situation, stating that, as of now, there was no immediate danger of flooding in the valley and there was no need to panic.
“As of now, there is no flood threat in the valley, we are continuously monitoring the situation and on an hourly basis water level in Jhelum and other water bodies is being gauged”, the official said.
According to the latest update by the I&FC officials, at 6:00 pm on Sunday, the gauge at Ram Munshi Bagh indicated a water level of 10.87 ft, just below the warning threshold. Similarly, Sangam recorded 6.56 ft, Pampore over 15 M, and Asham 7.49 ft.
Despite the relatively stable water levels, officials however have urged caution among people advising against unnecessary venturing near the water bodies.
They also said that if the need arises, they can divert the water volume of Jhelum into the flood channel as an alternative for Jhelum for excess water volume.
Pertinently, the MeT officials on Sunday said that the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy on April 30 with a possibility of light rain with thunder at many places.
“Rainfall data during the last 24 hours till 8:30 am this morning, Srinagar has received 30.6 mm, Qazigund 23.0 mm, Pahalgam 18.6 mm, Kupwara 30.8 mm, Kokernag 16.4 mm, Gulmarg 20.6 mm, Jammu 0.3 mm, Banihal 29.6 mm, Batote 15.4 mm, Katra 1.8 mm and Bhadarwah 30.7 mm.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday chaired a meeting of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department to review the flood management and mitigation measures being evolved for Kashmir.
The chief secretary called for devising an effective strategy to deal with the flood-like situation in Kashmir.