Threat in Kashmir due to heavy rains

Srinagar, Mar 20 (UNI) A flood alert has been sounded in the Kashmir Valley after the water level in Jehlum river and its tributaries reached close of the danger mark today due to heavy rains over the past 24 hours.

The Police Control Room (PCR) here said the a flood alert was flashed this afternoon after the water level in Jehlum reached 18 feet at Sangam in south Kashmir district of Pulwama.

However, they added that the water level was still three feet below the danger mark.

It said the water level in other tributaries and 'nullahs' has also increased due to heavy rains during the past 24 hours.

The water level in flood channel at Rambagh has also increased, threatening many low-lying areas.

People in many localities in Nowgam have started shifting to safer places due to flood threat as authorities had failed to fill the breaches caused by flood in August last year in the bunds.

The water had started coming into these localities as the breaches remained unplugged, a Nowgam resident Mohammad Ashraf said.

Meanwhile, many localities in the summer capital, including Badshah Nagar, Natipora, Nowgam, Banapora, Maithan, Azad Basti, Lal Nagar, Mehjoor Nagar, Bemina, Naik Bagh and Indira Nagar are under one to two feet of rain water because of poor drinage system.

A report from Baramulla said all 'nullahs' and other 'khuls' were overflowing, threatening low-lying villages.

UNI