Flood situation in Kashmir grim, thousands of people affected

Srinagar, Sep 4 (UNI) The flood situation in Kashmir continued to remain grim even as the water level in river Jhelum had receded slightly, but was still flowing above the danger mark.

Several hundred villages across the Valley have been affected due to the floods and the authorities have launched rescue and relief operations on a war-footing.

The flood situation was expected to show some improvement if there were no further rains. Weather has shows signs of improvement after no rains since last evening.

Thousands of people have been marooned in many areas of Srinagar, Badgam, Anantnag, Pulwama and Baramulla districts, but there has been no official confirmation about any flood-related death in the Valley so far. Unconfirmed reports said six people were killed due to floods in Anantnag district of south Kashmir.

However, six people were killed in a house collapse in Kathua district of Jammu region due to heavy downpour.

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 has also decided to close all schools and colleges in the state for two days.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was continuously monitoring the situation. He has nominated his various Cabinet colleagues to monitor the emerging flood situation and oversee the rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.

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.

Health and Medical Education Minister Mangat Ram Sharma would look after the flood situation in Jammu while Roads and Buildings Minister Gulchain Singh Charak will be in-charge for Akhnoor.

Mr Azad has called for maintaining close coordination with the Army and the Air Force authorities to meet any eventuality in connection with the possible evacuation of marooned population.

The water level in river Jhelum had crossed the danger mark of 18 ft at Sangam in south Kashmir on Friday night. The water level was 39.60 ft yesterday and today it had receded to 31.

At Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar and Asham in north Kashmir, the level was above danger mark at 19,90 ft and 17.12 ft respectively.

UNI AG YA DS1601