Even as the weather department has predicted more rains on Monday and Tuesday, the recession in alarming levels of Jhelum waters on Saturday calmed the frightened populations in South Kashmir parts, Srinagar and Budgam areas. Sharing forecast for next three days, MeT director Sonam Lotus said that on Sunday the weather will remain mainly dry with afternoon thunderstorm and rain. “On Monday and Tuesday there will be another spell of rains, which would of lesser magnitude. The weather is overall improving,” Lotus said adding that the situation would be again reviewed on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a day after the declaration of flood in parts of Kashmir and an alert in Srinagar, the Governor’s administration on Saturday allayed fears saying that the improvement in weather conditions had subdued the threat. The officials said few breaches at Jhelum banks were promptly fixed. According to a forecast issued Saturday evening, from July 1 to July 7 Kashmir will receive scant or isolated rainfall but on 2 and 3 July the precipitation levels are expected rise a bit and the rainfall might be fairly widespread.
Kumar said Inspector General of Police and Divisional Commissioner are leading the monitoring operations which are being executed by Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control. “We’ve earmarked 44 relief centers in Srinagar and other places in case there was any eventuality,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile the annual Hindu pilgrimage to Shri Amarnath cave shrine remained suspended for the second consecutive day due to rains and risk of landslides along the pony track to the cave.
“In south Kashmir the water level is receding and in Srinagar it is static since Saturday morning,” says Muhammad Shahnawaz, chief engineer Irrigation and Flood Control. “The weather has started to improve and we are hopeful that water in Srinagar will also recede.”
Earlier on Saturday morning the government issued a flood alert for low-lying areas of Srinagar and asked the people to be alert and prepared for evacuation. The alert was issued after the gauge at Ram MunshiBagh crossed the flood declaration of 18 feet and was flowing at 20.87 feet at 10 am on Saturday morning. Later the gauge touched the 20.93 mark by late afternoon.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah on Saturday morning said the people living in low-lying areas and embankments of river Jhelum in Srinagar were requested to be alert and prepared for evacuation.
There were minor breaches along Jhelum bund at some places, however due to timely action by locals and authorities they were plugged up.
Police has also deputed about 44 teams from Police Control Kashmir to help civil administration tackle the crisis.
