Flood situation in Kashmir grim; schools, colleges closed

Srinagar, Sep 3 (UNI) The flood situation continued to remain ''grim and dangerous'' in Kashmir as the water level in river Jhelum and other streams was on the rise. However, weather conditions showed improvement this evening, bringing hope and relief to the people.

Thousands of people have been marooned and many villages of Srinagar, Badgam, Anantnag, Pulwama and Baramulla districts affected by floods. As many as 40 people were rescued after a passenger vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a stream flooded with rain water in central Kashmir district of Badgam.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has sought the help of the Army and the Air Force in relief and rescue operations in the wake of the flood situation following heavy and incessant rains in the Valley for the past three days.

The state government decided to close all schools and colleges in the state for two days. The decision was taken in an emergency Cabinet meeting called by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to review the flood situation in the state.

A CRPF spokesman claimed that the CRPF personnel rescued 50 people from Hamdania Colony at Bemina near here and shifted ten families to safer locations in Parimpora on the city outskirts.

An official spokesman said it was decided that all school and college buildings would be utilised in accommodating the flood-affected people. Round-the-clock flood control rooms have been established in all the affected areas.

Mr Azad also nominated his various Cabinet colleagues to monitor the emerging flood situation in the state and oversee the rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

PHE Irrigation and Flood Control Minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir, Housing and Urban Development Minister Tariq Hameed Karra and Power Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora have been nominated for Srinagar district.

Agriculture Minister Abdul Aziz Zargar, School Education Minister Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed and Minister of State for Health Peer Mohammad Hussain have been asked to look after Anantnag district.

Forest Minister Qazi Afzal and Minister of State for Roads and Buildings Mohammad Khalil Band would be stationed in Pulwama district. Food and Consumers Affairs Minister Taj Mohi-ud-din and Social Welfare Minister Haji Nissar Ali would be responsible for Baramulla. Transport Minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen and Minister of State for Rural Department Javed Mustaffa Mir would look after the situation in Badgam district.

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