The Jhelum River started showing signs of stabilisation on Friday, a day after it breached and submerged several low-lying areas in the Budgam district.
Officials said people living around the flood-prone zones should remain alert, as water levels across the Valley continue to fluctuate.
Official informed reporters that while Jhelum did not breach overnight, the water has also receded by over two feet at Ram Munshi Bagh.
As per the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC), the latest readings at the gauges have shown improvements, as readings at 8:00 am at Sangam at 20.18 ft (Danger level 25 ft) – below danger mark; Pampore at 5.74 m (Danger level 5.0 m) – above flood mark; and R.M. Bagh at 20.49 ft (danger level 21 ft) – below danger mark.
Other important readings included Asham at 13.99 ft (Danger level 16.5 ft) and Wullar at 1577.00 m (Danger level 1578.00 m).
Meanwhile, the tributaries, that had swollen with floodwater diversion, have also seen a drop in the levels, with Vaishow Nallah at Khudwani – 6.04 m (danger 8.50 m); Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi – 2.32 m (danger 5.7 m); Lidder Nallah at Batkoot – 0.51 m (danger 1.65 m); and Sindh Nallah at Doderhama – 2.00 m (danger 3.9 m).
Chief Engineer of I&FC Kashmir, Showkat Hussain, said the Jhelum was flowing below the danger level at Ram Munshi Bagh and Sangam; however, Pampore continued to require close monitoring.
He said, “Residents are advised to stay away from riverbanks and follow all safety instructions. Quick Response Teams are deployed across vulnerable areas to ensure rapid action in case of sudden changes in river levels.”
While Kashmir Valley has averted the major danger of witnessing a 2014 flood-like situation, questions have been raised about the management, contingency, and disaster mitigation plans.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said, What has been done in the past 10 years seems to indicate that the previous government, along with the LG administration, has learnt nothing and failed to prepare a contingency plan despite witnessing flood-like situations seven times in the past eight years.'
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