Torrential rains spark flood-like situation in Kangan, Pulwama

Kangan/ Pulwama, Aug 17: Heavy rain caused a flood-like situation in some areas of Kangan in the Ganderbal district besides inundating a couple of government schools and residential areas on Saturday.

Locals said that the heavy spell of rain on Saturday morning caused a flood-like situation in the Hassanabad area here and inundated Government Girls School, Kangan, and the main market, forcing residents to wade through knee-deep waters.

The downpour, which began early Saturday morning continued for a brief period, inundating homes and fields, affecting normal life.

Locals highlighted the issue of the area’s failed drainage system.

The downpour caused water levels to rise rapidly, leading to overflow of the drainage system and causing a flood-like situation in residential areas, markets, and nearby government schools.

Locals said that they had repeatedly urged the authorities to construct a proper drainage system in these areas.

However, despite their pleas, no action has been taken so far in this regard.

Manzoor Ahmad, a local, said that in addition to the faulty drainage system, encroachment by some people in certain areas of the existing drain had exacerbated the problem.

He said that officials from the Revenue Department and other concerned departments visited the area to assess the situation.

“But we need a proper, lasting solution,” Ahmad said.

According to the residents, the area is prone to minor floods whenever it rains, causing recurring hardships for the local population.

They urged the authorities to take immediate action to address the issue of the drainage system and prevent such incidents in the future.

Sub Divisional Magistrate Kangan, Bilal Mukhtar along with other concerned officers visited the area to assess the situation.

Meanwhile, heavy rains inundated a significant road in the Achagoze area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday.

According to the residents, the incessant rains, which began lashing the area in the early morning, raised the water level of a stream, leading to the flooding of Abhama-Sangarni road.

“A sudden rise in the water level blocked the stream, causing it to flow down the middle of the road,” the residents said.

Sarpanch of the village, Farooq Ahmad told Greater Kashmir that the water entered the compounds and cow sheds of several residents.

He said that a cloud burst in the upper reaches spurred flash floods in the area.

“One person identified as Muhammad Amin Khanday suffered injuries due to a flash flood,” Ahmad said.

He said that he was shifted to a nearby medical facility where he was being treated.

Ahmad said that the Abhama and Sangarwani areas were not accessible via Achagoze.

A video circulating on social media showed the stream flowing across the road.

An official in a statement said that water levels in the village and its surrounding areas had receded and no damage was caused to life or property.

The official said that the district administration immediately sent a team of revenue and other officials to the affected area to monitor the situation.

“There is no need to panic,” the official said.