Water level in Jhelum recedes; Centre assures all help

Srinagar: The water level in river Jhelum has started receding, easing flood worries in the Kashmir Valley, even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday assured the Mehbooba Mufti government of all help to deal with any eventuality.

MeT officials said the water level in Jhelum and its tributaries started receding since early this morning after rainfall stopped last night. The water level at Ram Munshi Bath in the city fell from 20.20 feet at 10.00 am to 19.60 feet at 6.00 pm, still above the danger mark of 19 feet.

However, at Sangam in south Kashmir, the water level dipped from 22.10 feet at 2.00 am to 18.70 feet at 6.00 pm, officials of the Irrigation and Flood control department said here. They said the water level in tributaries like Veishov, Rambiara and Lidder streams has receded substantially in the past 12 hours.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning spoke to the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and offered all help from the Centre in dealing with the situation which arose due to incessant rains and flash floods in Kashmir resulting into a flood-like situation,” an official spokesman said here.

He said the Prime Minister assured the Chief Minister that Centre would be ready to help the State administration in its relief and rescue operations. Thanking the Prime Minister for the gesture, Mehbooba apprised him about the damages to the infrastructure, roads and horticulture sectors due to the unseasonal rains and snowfall.

 “Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also spoke to the Chief Minister and pledged support from the Centre to the Jammu and Kashmir Government in meeting the challenges of such an inclement weather,” the spokesman said.

 Meanwhile, Mehbooba on Friday visited various areas in the city to inspect the status of dewatering and administration’s response in dealing with the flood-like situation. The CM visited Lal Chowk, Hari Singh High Street, Maharaja Bazar, Gogji Bagh, Jawahar Nagar, Humhama, Raj Bagh and other areas.

She directed deployment of more pumps in areas like Humhama, Gogji Bagh to drain out excess water at the earliest. Mehbooba also visited some spots along river Jhelum, flood channels at Ram Bagh and Barzulla to take stock of the water levels.

She directed the Flood Control Department to patrol constantly the banks and breach spots on river Jhelum and other streams even though the water levels have started showing signs of recession.

The schools and colleges in the Valley have been closed till Sunday due to flood-like situation while examinations have been put on hold. (PTI)