Respite For People of Kashmir, Fears of Flood Over

Srinagar:

Fears about Kashmir witnessing floods like last September ended today with the government declaring that there is no threat now as the water level in the river Jhelum was much below the danger mark despite overnight rainfall.

Jhelum was flowing at 14.10 feet at Sangam in south Kashmir, nearly nine feet below the danger mark, while the water level at Ram Munshi Bagh in the city was 15.25 feet, an official of the Flood Control Department said.

The rainfall overnight had resulted in the rise in water level in Jhelum but there was no immediate threat of floods, he said.

"The weather has improved since late last night and if it holds like this, the worst phase might already be over," the official said.

He, however, said moderate rainfall was forecast for tomorrow at many places in the Valley but it should not lead to a flood situation.

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Minister for Education Naeem Akhtar told reporters in Srinagar that the worst phase of inclement weather was over. "There is no flood. There was some panic among the people because of the last year's situation. But right now all the rivers are running much below the danger-level and there is normal activity across the state."

The weather forecast for tomorrow onwards is quite normal, he said, adding "the worst phase has passed."

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Kashmir, which saw unprecedented deluge in September last year, was in the grip of fear after water level rose above the danger mark in Jhelum on Monday and several low-lying areas got flooded after a few days of rainfall.
     
The Centre and the state government swung into action and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was pressed into service to evacuate the affected people and army was put on standby. Hundreds of people were shifted to safer places in the Valley where 16 people were killed after four houses collapsed in a village.

Even as the weather improved, authorities are taking no chances and have put in place measures to deal with any eventuality.

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Mr Akhtar said there is no need for panic and the administration is on alert. "...We are doing what we have to and people have seen that change in Srinagar and other districts.