‘Preventive evacuations underway in vulnerable areas’
Srinagar, Sep 3: In the wake of relentless torrential rains that lashed Kashmir for the past 48 hours, the administration has swung into action, initiating preventive evacuations and stepping up relief measures across vulnerable areas of south Kashmir and Srinagar.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Anshul Garg, on Wednesday, said that the continuous downpour has significantly raised water levels in rivers and streams, particularly in south Kashmir, prompting authorities to take precautionary measures to avoid any mishap.
“Since Tuesday, we have witnessed continuous and intense rainfall, especially in south Kashmir. Water levels are steadily rising and showing no signs of receding. In light of this, a review meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary was held, where it was decided to immediately activate preventive and precautionary protocols,” Garg told reporters here.
As a part of the emergency response, preventive evacuation has been initiated in flood-prone parts of Pulwama, Anantnag, and Kulgam districts.
Similar measures are also being carried out in certain low-lying areas of Srinagar, where flood threats loom due to the swelling of the Jhelum and its tributaries.
“We request residents in vulnerable zones to cooperate with the authorities, adhere to official advisories, and move to safer locations wherever possible,” he urged the people.
To manage the unfolding situation, the administration has identified more than 300 buildings to be used as relief and rehabilitation centres across Kashmir.
Authorities have ensured the availability of essential supplies, including food, drinking water, and electricity in these shelters.
“Those who have the option to stay with relatives in safer locations are encouraged to relocate immediately. The District Magistrates have already demarcated secure areas and are coordinating evacuations,” Garg said.
In a move to reassure the people, he said that there was no shortage of essential commodities, including fuel, food grains, and medicines.
The administration has also activated emergency helplines and help desks, and key services like electricity and communication networks remain functional.
“There is absolutely no need to panic. We have enough stock of petrol, diesel, LPG, and other necessary items. All departments are on high alert and functioning in close coordination,” he said.
Emphasising that the situation was currently under control, Garg cautioned that the next six to seven hours would be critical, especially if the rainfall persists or intensifies.
“The administration is fully alert and monitoring the situation round-the-clock. We appeal to the people to remain vigilant, stay indoors unless necessary, and follow only official information,” he said.
Kashmir has been experiencing uninterrupted torrential rains for nearly two days, causing rivers to swell and triggering fears of urban flooding and landslides.
Several roads in rural areas have become waterlogged, and traffic movement has been affected in parts of south and central Kashmir.
The Irrigation and Flood Control Department is monitoring river gauges across Kashmir, and disaster response teams have been deployed in vulnerable pockets.
Authorities have promised to issue timely updates and advisories and appealed to the media and people not to circulate unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic.
DIV COM KASHMIR INSPECTS VULNERABLE SPOTS
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir also visited Barzulla and Gandbal to inspect the protective measures being taken by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department to clog the vulnerable spots to avoid breaches.
During his visit to the spot of the automatic water level recorder near Bone and Joint Hospital, he directed for closure of the gap to avoid any potential threat of breach and flooding.
The spot serves as a means for dewatering and out outflow of the hospital drainage system.
Garg instructed the SE, I&FC, to find a permanent solution to address the issue and to avoid the risk of breach in the left bank of the flood channel near the hospital.
Addressing the media persons at the spot, he said that currently the water level at Sangam and Ram Munshi Bagh shows a rising trend and informed that IMD had reported the possibility of a receding water level in the later part of the day.
However, he said that the contingency plan had already been put in place by the I&FC Department to respond to any exigency.
Speaking about the reinforcement steps being taken at Bone and Joint Hospital, he said that the gap was being filled with sandbags and would be completed within a couple of hours.
Sharing information about the rescue measures being taken in south Kashmir, he said that District Disaster Management teams were conducting rescue measures in low lying areas and evacuated some families to safer places.
The Divisional Commissioner said that teams of the Kulgam district administration were on the ground during the night to ensure the evacuation of people in nine villages.
“Wherever inundation in low-lying areas in Anantnag and Kulgam has occurred, the administration is following evacuation protocol,” he said.
Garg said that in Srinagar, the teams of the district administration were in the field and a contingency plan had been put in place to immediately respond to any exigency.
“Our emergency control rooms are operational, power supply is up-end, and telecom services are Ok. Hopefully, there should be a reasonable improvement in a couple of hours,” he said. “We all need to remain alert, and people need to follow advisories issued by district administrations and remain away from water bodies.”
The divisional commissioners said that magistrates had been deployed to monitor the ground situation and alert people.
On the occasion, he also inspected the delivery of critical healthcare services to the patients by the hospital administration and the availability of medical and paramedical staff, besides the availability of medicines.
Garg also visited Gandbal where he inspected restoration efforts underway for reinforcement of the river bank near the bridge.
On the occasion, he interacted with the locals and assured a permanent solution for strengthening of the bank and execution of the remaining works.
Later, the Divisional Commissioner visited the UT-level Emergency Operation Centre at Hari Niwas to take stock of addressing of distress calls of people and the resolution of urgent issues faced by them.
ARMY, POLICE, CIVIL ADMIN JOIN HANDS FOR FLOOD PREPAREDNESS
Meanwhile, a joint review meeting on flood preparedness and contingency planning was held at the Police Control Room (PCR), Kashmir, to assess readiness in view of the prevailing weather conditions and forecast, and to strengthen coordination among all sister agencies working on the ground.
The meeting was attended by Special DGP (Coordination) Police Headquarters, J&K, Commandant General HG/CD and SDRF J&K, IGP Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, IGP Traffic, range DIGs, DIGs Armed and IRP, DCs of Kashmir division, all district SSPs of Kashmir zone, and senior officers from the Army, CAPFs, and allied departments.
At the outset, district heads were briefed about the evolving flood situation in their respective areas.
The Divisional Commissioner shared details of preparedness measures, including embankment protection, rescue and evacuation plans, and contingency arrangements along the River Jhelum and major streams.
Alternate communication strategies in case of disruption were also discussed.
The participating officers underlined the importance of synergy among departments and stressed the need for a robust disaster mitigation plan to safeguard lives and property.
It was resolved to maintain a high state of readiness, position manpower and machinery at vulnerable points, and ensure real-time dissemination of information to the public and to effect prompt evacuation wherever required.
The establishment of joint control rooms with representatives from the civil administration,Police, Army, CAPFs, Flood and Irrigation, and other agencies was deliberated upon.
A detailed review of existing response mechanisms was also conducted, with emphasis on proactive preparedness and stronger inter-agency coordination.
The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to remain alert on the ground and to respond promptly to any emerging situation.
