Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared a flood in the state. The warning was issued after heavy downpour led to river Jhelum flowing above the critical mark at sangam in Anantnag district of the valley.
“Flood has been declared. We’ve requested people in low-lying areas to be extremely alert and vigilant but a call for evacuation has not been made yet. There is no need to panic. We’ve identified a dozen relief camps. 17 SDRF teams have been deployed, ” Dy Commissioner Srinagar, J&K.
All schools in the valley are closed after the direction from the administration.
Read: Flood alert in central Kashmir as intermittent rains continue in the valley
The annual Amarnath Yatra was suspended due to heavy rains. However, Yatra has started from both the on-foot routes of Baltal and Pahalgam after improvement in the weather. The Yatra route via Baltal was suspended earlier. The officials had said that the situation would be reviewed once the weather improves. The authorities added that all Yatris were safely lodged inside the two base camps.
Meanwhile, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah raised questions over the PDP-BJP government’s measures to avoid a situation like flood in the state. “What was the PDP-BJP government doing after the devastating floods of 2014? What happened to the dredging of the Jehlum? Why was the carrying capacity of the flood channel not increased? Where did the money go,” he tweeted.
Jammu and Kashmir is under Governor’s rule after BJP withdrew its support from the PDP-led alliance.
Governor NN Vohra called an emergency meeting at Raj Bhawan to discuss the situation in Kashmir.
Highlights
"Three deaths have been reported till now from Jammu region. Kashmir can expect the same weather till this evening & some relief after that. In Srinagar, we've established 44 shelter sheds. Waterlogging is one of the toughest challenges," said BB Vyas, Advisor to J&K Governor3 deaths have been reported till now from Jammu region. Kashmir can expect the same weather till this evening & some relief after that. In Srinagar, we've established 44 shelter sheds. Waterlogging is one of the toughest challenges: BB Vyas, Advisor to J&K Guv (man in centre) pic.twitter.com/7dizwTAmI1— ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2018
"Flood has been declared. We've requested people in low-lying areas to be extremely alert and vigilant but a call for evacuation has not been made yet. There is no need to panic. We've identified a dozen relief camps. 17 SDRF teams have been deployed, " Dy Commissioner Srinagar, J&K
In 2014, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed worst floods in its history. The death toll in Jammu and Kashmir's ravaging floods went to more than 200 people.
Six people stranded in Tawi river, rescued by State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Jammu Civil Defence teams yesterday. The river is flowing above danger mark following incessant rain in the region.
Amarnath Yatra resumes from both the on-foot routes of Baltal and Pahalgam after improvement in the weather. Also, air sorties by administration resume from Baltal.
Baltal: Indo-Tibetan Border Police(ITBP) personnel help pilgrims cross difficult terrain. Amarnath Yatra has been halted due to heavy rainfall in the region. The first batch of nearly 3,000 Amarnath pilgrims from Jammu reached the twin base camps at Baltal and Pahalgam in Kashmir on June 27. Of this group of pilgrims, 1,904 have opted for traditional Pahalgam route while 1,091 choose the Baltal route to reach the Himalayan cave shrine in south Kashmir.
In Anantnag, following incessant rainfall in the region, Jhelum river and its tributaries are flowing above danger mark. "In view of the incessant rains, inclement weather and as a precautionary measure, all schools in Kashmir division to remain closed today," Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Syed Abid Shah told news agency ANI.
Fourth batch of Amarnath Yatra pilgrims reached Jammu base camp, they have been currently stopped from moving further due to incessant rains in the region. Around 40,000 security personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, paramilitary, National Disaster Response Force and the Army, have been deployed for this year’s pilgrimage. A total of 2.60 lakh pilgrims offered prayers at the shrine last year.
Governor NN Vohra chairs emergency meeting at Raj Bhawan to discuss the situation in Kashmir following heavy rains. Jhelum river and its tributaries are flowing above the danger mark.
Darhali river in Rajouri is overflowing due to heavy rainfall. Officials have alerted the locals living around that area.
Following heavy rainfall, Jhelum river crosses danger mark. All schools in Kashmir division are closed today in view of the inclement weather