Rains lash Kashmir for 5th consecutive day
Jhelum water levels below warning mark across South, Central Kashmir
Srinagar: Intermittent rains lashed widespread parts of Kashmir for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday, even as the flood threat has eased as the levels in most water bodies were decreasing, officials said.
Most parts of the valley received rainfall for the fifth consecutive day, with intermittent rains in Srinagar and elsewhere when the last reports came in, the officials said.
The meteorological department said the current rain spell over most places of Kashmir is likely to continue till late afternoon and there would be an improvement afterwards.
It said that one or two spells of light to moderate rain/thundershowers are possible at most places of Kashmir from July 28-31.
The Meteorological office warned of the possibility of flashfloods, landslides and mudslides at a few vulnerable places during the next five days.
The rainfall over the last five days has led to an increase in the levels of most water bodies in the valley. However, the officials said, the levels started to decrease on Saturday morning.
The water level in the river Jhelum at Munshibagh in Srinagar was 18.15 feet at 3 pm — slightly above the flood declaration mark of 18 feet.
However, it has come below the flood declaration mark at Sangam in Anantnag district, they said.
They said the level in tributaries, streams and other water bodies was also decreasing, easing the flood threat in the valley.
The officials, however, said the administration remains alert and is closely monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, Water levels in the Jhelum Basin have continued to recede, with all gauge stations in South and Central Kashmir now recording levels below the Warning Level, officials said.
According to an update issued by the Irrigation and Flood Safety Control (I&FSC) Kashmir at 1730 hrs, the southern catchment of the Jhelum Basin received moderate to heavy rainfall for a few hours during the morning and afternoon.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that rainfall activity is likely to decrease over South Kashmir and gradually shift towards Central and North Kashmir in the coming hours.
In view of the rainfall in the southern catchment, officials said a marginal rise in water levels is expected and the rate of recession downstream up to Wular Lake may temporarily slow down.
“However, the overall receding trend of water levels is expected to continue throughout the Jhelum Basin up to Wular Lake,” the I&FSC update stated.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have advised people living along river embankments and low-lying areas to remain cautious.
