Flood alert in south and central Kashmir as rains kill 3 in Jammu

Incessant rains claimed three lives in Jammu while a flood alert was sounded in south and central Kashmir on Saturday, with water levels in the Jhelum river rising after heavy rains over the last two days.

The meteorological department has predicted an improvement in the weather over the next two days, but the administration is not taking any chances. Authorities have set up a round-the-clock monitoring system in various parts of the state.

The water level rose above the danger mark at Sangam in south Kashmir as well as Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar on Saturday morning.

In Jammu, Jamela Begun, 30, from a nomadic family camping in the upper regions of the Kishtwar district, was killed when a tree fell on her tent.

Her six-year-old daughter Nazia is fighting for her life in hospital.

Anzar Ahmed, 22, was washed away while trying to cross swelling Suran river in Surankote in Poonch district on Friday night.

His body was recovered a few kilometers from the area.

Harbans Lal, 30, who returning home from work, was washed away while attempting to cross a stream in spate in Akhnoor on Friday evening.

Officials said the Jhelum rose above the critical 21-feet mark at Sangam due to heavy rainfall.

“Due to continuous rains over the past two days, the gauge at Sangam has crossed the flood declaration of 21 feet and was flowing at 21.33 feet at 6 pm,” an official at the irrigation and flood control department said.

A high-level meeting was chaired by governor NN Vohra in Srinagar on Saturday to monitor the situation.

Officials said people living in the low-lying areas have been asked to be prepared to evacuate. Schools across the Valley have been closed as a precautionary measure.

During the meet, the state’s chief secretary spoke to Vohra about the various measures being put in place to deal with emergencies. According to him, a flood control room was being set up. The chief secretary said the administration was obtaining information on weather conditions and water levels at various monitoring locations and that rescue teams and boats had been mobilized for evacuation.

An official spokesman said that Vohra was informed that a mechanism has been put in place for ensuring effective coordination with concerned agencies.

The state police has also set up helplines across the valley for providing assistance to the public.

Srinagar deputy commissioner Syed Abid Rashid Shah said relief camps are being established in Srinagar, should there be need for evacuation.