Vaishaw Nallah again roared ferociously, inundating villages in Kulgam and Anantnag

Srinagar, Sep 3: For Kashmir, September 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are dates carved in collective memory.

On those very days in 2014, the Jhelum and its tributaries swelled into a devastating deluge, submerging large parts of Kashmir, destroying homes and infrastructure, wiping out entire villages, and claiming several lives.

This Wednesday, in a chilling déjà vu, the Jhelum and its tributaries again roared past danger levels after two days of torrential rain, sparking fears of a repeat disaster.

But unlike 2014, the swollen rivers began receding by evening, sparing Kashmir from catastrophe.

“The Vaishaw stream at Khudwani was running well above the danger mark due to cloudbursts at several places, but luckily the water level started receding once the day closed,” Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan, told Greater Kashmir.

The cloud burst also occurred in the upper areas of Waltengoo, Kund, in the Devsar area of Kulgam, raising the water level in Sandran, another tributary of the Jehlum.

VAISHAW TURNS VIOLENT AGAIN

The Vaishaw Nallah, Jhelum’s biggest tributary, originating from the Kousar Nag springs near Aharbal in Kulgam, turned violent much like it did in 2014.

Its massive catchment stretching from Kulgam to Gool, Gulabgarh, in Udhampur has long made it prone to flash floods.

“The villages situated on the banks of Vaishaw Nallah are always vulnerable during incessant rains,” said a Flood and Irrigation Department official.

The flash floods inundated low-lying villages in Kulgam and Anantnag.

About 7000 residents were evacuated from Qaimoh, Khudwani, and Redwani.

“Most people went to relatives’ homes, while the district administration arranged shelters and food,” Khan said.

Nomadic families with their livestock were also shifted to safety.

TRIBUTARIES ROAR ACROSS SOUTH KASHMIR

Other rivers that had behaved relatively calmly in 2014, including the Lidder, Brengi, Veth Vathustu, Sandran, Aaripat, Rambiara, Tongri, Romshi, and Aaripal Nalla Tral, swelled violently this time, inundating parts of Anantnag town and adjoining villages.

The Aaripat River submerged the famed Wazir Bagh garden, parts of the District Library, partly the Sports Stadium, and even seminaries like Idraai Tehkikaat-e-Islami and Suwatul Awlia, from which hundreds of students were rescued. “The backflow was very high from tributaries, but the increased carrying capacity helped the Jhelum not overflow beyond certain points in Pampore and Srinagar,” said another official.

Shops in Anantnag shifted merchandise through the night, fearing waterlogging.

“We are thankful to the district administration for dewatering and plugging breaches,” said Kausar Ahmad, a shopkeeper whose garment store was flooded last week.

INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE, BUT NO CASUALTIES

Though partial damage was reported to bridges in Kokernag, Pahalgam, and Anantnag, officials confirmed no major structural losses or casualties.

“We heaved a sigh of relief after the rainfall stopped,” said Tariq Ahmad of Gudar village in Kulgam, one of the villages washed away in 2014.

The roads caved in several areas of South Kashmir, but were immediately repaired.

“Men and machinery are on the job to repair damaged roads, damaged bridges, and culverts,” an official said

The Hillar Bridge connecting several villages of Kokernag was also damaged, disconnecting dozens of villages from the main Kokernag and Anantnag.

In Shopian, Rambiara Nallah crossed the danger mark before receding as the day closed.

In central Kashmir, the Sindh Nallah at Ganderbal also rose sharply but later declined.

Water levels surged across Dal Lake, Nigeen, Aanchar, Wular Lake, and multiple Jhelum stretches, including Khanabal, Sangam, Pampore, and Srinagar’s Ram Munshi Bagh. Several breaches were reported but quickly plugged with sandbags by flood control teams and locals.

The water seeped into Gonikhan Market, following which the Police installed fencing around the market.

WEATHER IMPROVES, PRAYERS ANSWERED

By late Wednesday night, officials confirmed that the weather had improved and water levels across tributaries were dropping. The Meteorological Department forecast further improvement from Thursday.

“Hope Allah will answer our prayers,” wrote Shazia of old town Anantnag on Facebook, recalling the nightmare of September 2014. This time, divine mercy and improved flood preparedness averted disaster.