Rain returned to Srinagar on Tuesday evening and continued intermittently for most of Wednesday but to the relief for all, water levels in the Jhelum receded further.
But the Meteorological Department has predicted more rain and officials said Wednesday night would be critical as the city could face the threat of fresh floods.
The water level in the Jhelum here came down from 15.65 ft at 6 am to 14.7 feet by 7 p.m. on Wednesday. In south Kashmir, the water level fell from 12 feet to 10.75 feet, much below the flood alarm level of 21 feet. There was little rain in south Kashmir, with the bulk of the rain falling in Srinagar and north Kashmir.
“It is the rain in south Kashmir that is more dangerous and if there is no or little rain there, we can hope to survive the flood scare,” Chief Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control Department Javed Jaffer told The Hindu.
According to the weather department, four districts of south Kashmir recorded 19 mm of rainfall between 8.30 a.m. and 4.30 pm on Wednesday. Srinagar, during the same time, recorded 33 mm and Baramulla 17 mm.
Evacuation plan
The government, according to senior Ministers, has prepared an evacuation plan for areas considered vulnerable in case there are floods in Srinagar. It has also identified safe houses for people who might have to flee their houses.
Government officials said they had shifted patients admitted to various hospitals to the upper floors and had provided all the hospitals with boats to deal with emergencies.
J&K Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed visited the Hazratbal shrine to “pray for improvement in weather” and at the same time reach out to the people of Srinagar.
Meanwhile, landslips were reported from various areas in the Valley, especially central Kashmir. On Monday, 16 people were buried alive at Ledan village of Budgam district when two houses were flattened by a landslip.
Flood fury in J&K
>Fear of floods looms large as Met predicts more rain in Kashmir
Government, people hope for the best but prepare for the worst
>Srinagar on edge as Jhelum rises menacingly
Met department forecasts more rains, residents move to safer areas
>Centre sanctions Rs. 200 cr. for flood-hit J&K
The Chief Minister had a detailed on-the-spot-assessment of the situation
Published - April 01, 2015 06:34 pm IST
