Significant improvement in weather abates flood threat in Kashmir but red warning for parts of Jammu division

Amid cloudy weather, the river Jhelum's water level began to recede on Sunday morning in Srinagar and other parts of the valley, abating the flood threat after exceeding the flood alert mark in many parts of Kashmir due to the incessant rains, with overall weather conditions expected to improve tomorrow.

A senior official at Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IF&C) told Ground Report that with the improvement in the weather and forecast by the weather department the flood threat in the valley has abated.

“As of now, we can say that the looming flood threat has abated now as there has been a significant improvement in the weather. The water level at all water bodies in the valley has started receding”, he said.

Notably, the incessant rains over the past few days also lead to the temporary suspension of the Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage, while the weather department has forecasted “overall improvement” in the weather from 10 July, it has also issued a “red warning” for more rains in Kathua, Samba and other lower catchment areas of Jammu region.

The water level crossed the “flood alert mark” in River Jhelum at many stations in Kashmir, while the authorities said that there was no need to panic as the situation was being closely monitored.

A senior official at Meteorological Department Srinagar told Ground Report on Saturday said that there are no chances of any major flood in the valley but said that the chances of minor flood can’t be ruled out.

The weather department at Srinagar in it’s daily bulletin said that the rainfall has stopped in most parts of Kashmir including the south, but that more rain is very likely in Kathua, Samba, Doda, districts. Light rain in spells likely in Ramban, Udhampur districts.

“Overall improvement is expected from July 10,” the weather department said, “There is a red warning for Kathua, Samba & other lower catchment areas of the Jammu region as the risk of flood, and flash flood increased considerably.” He said all concerned are advised to “stay alert” during the next 24 hrs.

The rainfall that started on Friday evening this week led to an increase in the water level in the river Jhelum and other tributaries of the valley.

On Sunday, the water level at Sangam from a sharp rise at 21.80 ft started receding to 21.15 ft till 11:00 AM. In Pampore also, the water level stayed as high as 5.51 M which is above the flood alert mark. The flood declaration mark in Sangam and Pampore is 25 ft and 5 ft respectively.

In Srinagar, at Ram Munshi Bagh, although receding but the water was flowing above the alert mark at 19.61 ft while the alert mark is 18 ft. At Asham, it was flowing over 12 ft, which is below the flood alert mark.

Regarding rainfall in the last 24 hours till 0830 hours on Sunday, Srinagar received rainfall of 1 mm, Qazigund 31.8mm, Pahalgam 17.4mm, Kupwara 17.3mm, Kokernag 34.0mm, Gulmarg 3.0mm, Jammu 14.2mm, Banihal 28.2mm, Batote 58.8mm, Katra 19.2mm, and Bhaderwah 125.1mm. 

On Saturday Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IF&C) issued a circular, in which the Flood Zonal Committees were directed to remain alert in their respective jurisdictions and monitor the situation closely.

The circular stated that “In view of forecast of heavy rains predicted by the Meteorological Department from 08-07-2023 to 09-07-2023 all the Flood Zonal Committees are directed to remain alert in their respective jurisdictions and monitor the situation closely”.

It added that the committees will keep the flood-fighting machinery in readiness for their immediate mobilization in the event of any flood-like situation.

Regarding tributaries, the weather department said that the water level in Vishow Nallah at Khudwani Kulgam was at 7.05m against the flood mark of 8.5m at 11 A.M. Similarly, they said, at 11 A.M. the level at Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi Shopian was 2.53 m against the danger mark of 5.7m.

They said river Sindh was flowing at 2.51m against the danger mark of 3.9m near Duderhama Ganderbal in central Kashmir’s district at 11 A.M. Water level in Wular Lake was 1577.15M against the flood level of 1578M.

The weather department in Srinagar in a weather update at 11:30 AM said that there is a significant weather improvement in both Jammu and Kashmir.

They forecasted that today on Sunday the weather will remain generally Cloudy in both Jammu and Kashmir, but that a brief spell of rain at some isolated places can't be ruled out.

Calling for an alert for the next 24 hours, the weather department reiterated the “Red warning” for Kathua, Samba & other lower catchment areas of the Jammu region as “Risk of Flood”, saying that the “Flash Floods” has increased considerably due to continuous Rain. 

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