Jhelum waters recede, flood threat over
Srinagar, Sep 5: The water level of the River Jhelum and other water bodies receded below the danger mark on Friday, bringing major relief to the people.
An official said that the situation was under control, while monitoring of the water level would continue at various vulnerable spots.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department (MeT) said that less rainfall in the last 24 hours resulted in a decrease in the water level of the Jhelum and its tributaries.
The district administration of Budgam said that encouraging developments were witnessed after a breach in the Jhelum embankment at Zoonipora on Thursday.
“Early signs of reverse flow have been observed at the breach site (from Zoonipora back into the Jhelum). This positive trend is further substantiated by the fact that water levels in the inundated villages have significantly receded, while outpouring towards downstream areas has also significantly reduced,” Deputy Commissioner (DC) Budgam Bilal Bhat said in a statement.
He said the relief operations would continue with a primary focus on restoring basic and essential services to the affected villages.
“Safe drinking water and electricity will be restored on priority while the restoration works and assessment of damages will follow up,” he said.
The MeT has predicted a forecast of mainly dry weather across Jammu and Kashmir for the next 24 hours with a possibility of light rain at isolated places.
Meanwhile, the officials cautioned people living in flood-hit areas where erosion had damaged houses and embankments.
The officials said there was no need to panic.
“All the departments are on their toes and several teams have been deployed for any eventuality,” an official of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said.
The official said that all the tributaries of the River Jhelum were below danger levels while no fresh breaches were reported for the last 24 hours.
“Water level is receding in most inundated areas while some localities are still waterlogged, but there is no threat at all,” the official said. “The water level of Wular Lake receded as well, bringing relief to people.”
