The water level has crossed the “flood alert mark” in river Jhelum, creating panic among the masses, who have witnessed devastating floods in 2014.
The water level increases amidst the incessant and intermittent rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir parts for the second consecutive day on Saturday while as the government has said that there was no need to panic as the situation is being monitored closely.
The record-break 24-hour-rainfall was recorded at multiple places in J-K in the month of July, which include Pahalgam and Banihal while Gulmarg, Qazigund and Kokernag recorded the second highest 24 hour precipitation.
In Pahalgam, 73.3 mm rainfall was recorded in 24 hours, which is the highest-ever 24 hour precipitation in the month of July so far. The previous highest was 60.4 mm, which was recorded on 16 July 1983, an Independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng said.
Banihal also received record-breaking 24 hour precipitation with 103.0 mm, where the previous highest was 83.0 mm on 25 July 1995.
However, Qazigund has recorded second highest 24 hour rainfall today at 94.0 mm while Kokernag and Gulmarg also recorded second highest 24 hour precipitation at 76.3 mm and 42.4 mm respectively.
The rainfall that started on Friday evening has increased the water in the river Jhelum and other tributaries. The water was flowing above the flood alert mark at 10 pm.
At Sangam, the water till 10 pm has risen to 21.55 ft, which is nearly one ft above the flood alert mark and 4 ft below the flood declaration mark. In Pampore also, the water has increased to 4.86 ft, which is above the flood alert mark. The flood declaration mark in Sangam and Pampore is 25 ft and 5 ft respectively.
At Ram Munshi Bagh, the water was flowing below the alert mark as it has risen to 17.49 ft while the alert mark is 18 ft. At Asham, it was flowing near 11 ft, which is 3 ft below the flood alert mark.
The water level has however; receded in nallah Vishow at Khudwani as it was flowing below the flood declaration mark when the report was last filed. The water level in Rambiyara, Doodhganga and Sindh was flowing below the flood declaration mark.
However, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC) department has stated that the situation is being monitored and there was no need to panic.
Chief Engineer, I&FC, Naresh Kumar said that so far no report of any untoward incident has been received amid the rise in water level in river Jhelum and other tributaries.
He added that the advisories have been issued in every district almost and the staff has been asked to remain on night patrolling.
Kumar further stated that the water is still flowing below the alarm level and there was no need to panic.
“The position at present is much better than in the morning. The water level is receding at present as the rains have stopped now,” he said.
“With full confidence I am telling the people that they should not panic as the department is here to tackle the situation and monitor it very closely,” Kumar said.
Earlier, in a day, Kumar issued a circular, in which the Flood Zonal Committees were directed to remain alert in their respective jurisdictions and monitor the situation closely.
“In view of forecast of heavy rains predicted by the Meteorological Department from 08-07-2023 to 09-07-2023 all the Flood Zonal Committees are directed to remain alert in their respective jurisdictions and monitor the situation closely,” the circular reads.
It added that the committees will keep the flood fighting machinery in readiness for their immediate mobilization in the event of any flood like situation.
