April 26, 2024 10:20 (IST)
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J&K flood: 6 killed, Omar reviews situation
Srinagar, Sept 3 (IBNS): In view of the recent flood condition in Jammu and Kashmir in which six people have died so far, state Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is personally monitoring the situation, has put the state administration on high alert, directing them to be at the beck and call of the people wherever required.
The food situation has developed due to incessant rain in the state creating flood . The water level in the river Jhelum and other rivulets has considerably increased even as the Flood Control and Irrigation department has sounded a flood alert.
With rains lashing the Valley for the last 24 hours, three people died after they came under a tree that fell due to storm in Reasi district while two people were washed away in South Kashmir's Budgam district.
According to reports , the incident occurred at Reasi Momankot in Jammu town where three people were killed.
Later in evening two persons were drowned in South Kashmir's Abora area of Budgam district. An official said that the two persons identified as Abdul Rashid Gojri and Ghulam Ahmad Bhat were drowned after they slipped off from a bridge and fell into a river.
Meanwhile, a Border Security Force personal was killed after a bunker collapsed due to heavy rains in Poonch district.
Official sources said that the incident took place at Chapri Kanari post in Surankote area of Poonch. The deceased has been identified as Abdul Rashid of 154 Battalion.
Reports also said that more than hundred people are trapped in Surankote river and efforts are on to rescue them when last report came in.
According to officials, gauges of river Jhelum recorded at 5pm touched 22 feet, one foot below the danger mark while at Ram Munshi Bagh the gauges touched 10 feet.
"We have sounded flood alert and directed all zonal flood committees to be present in their respective control rooms. Flood threat is certainly. There will be improvement in the situation in case the rains stop," Chief Engineer, Flood Control Kashmir said.
The Chief Engineer further said that till now no diversion of water has been made anywhere in the Valley. "But given the situation we have sounded an alert. We are not going to wait for flood to be declared, and we have activated the flood committees in all districts who are coordinating with their respective Deputy Commissioner's office," he informed.
"We are ready to deal with any contingency and we have kept our men and machinery ready," he said, adding that 11 lakh sand bags have been kept ready to deal with any contingency.
"People living in temporary sheds along the banks of Jhelum have been asked to shift to safer places," the officials said.
Incessant rains have been lashing Kashmir since Tuesday morning, which has led to sharp rise in water level in streams and rivulets across the valley.
The Chief Minister has directed the Divisional Commissioners to place senior officers on duty for monitoring the situation and initiate all necessary measures to safeguard the people.
He directed them to keep control room operative round the clock so that there is close contact between the people and the concerned officers.
Abdullah received brief from the administration about the situation in Kulgam, Shopian, Baramulla, Surankote and other areas where water has increased to dangerous levels.
He also received brief about the rescue and relief operations put in place by the
administration to meet the challenges. He said that rescue operations on war-footing should be carried out wherever need arises.
Under the directions of the Chief Minister, the state administration has asked the Air Force authorities to keep aerial rescue plan in place for utilization.
Reports said the Army personnel form 9 RR rescued 6 nomad families and evacuated them to safer places after the waters from Vaishav basin entered Akhran village of Kulgam.
Meanwhile, the traffic on the 434-km Srinagar-Leh highway has been suspended after incessant rains led to landslides. Officials said that traffic movement will resume only after the improvement in weather conditions.
The 434-km-long Srinagar-Leh road connecting the ladakh region with Kashmir was closed for traffic on Wednesday due to landslides triggered by heavy rains.
Officials said that traffic on Srinagar-Leh road has been closed due to landslides at two different places in Zojila pass area.
The Meteorological department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in next 36 hours.
(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)
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