Srinagar: Flood alert has been sounded in the Kashmir valley, where the water level in river Jhelum and its tributaries was still below danger mark, as intermittent rains continued for the past two days.
All the officials on flood control duty have been asked to report to their respective zones in the Valley, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood control (IFC) Ahmed Muzaffar Lanker said here today.
He said Flood Control Rooms (FCR) have been set up in different district headquarters, where respective Deputy Commissioners will take all necessary measures to meet any flood threat.
He said there was no need to panic as the water level was still below danger mark.
Mr Lanker said water level in Jhelum, which was increasing considerably since yesterday morning following heavy rains in the upper reaches in south Kashmir, started decreasing in the afternoon. There was light to moderate rain in the south Kashmir yesterday.
It was decreasing by two inches per hour at Sangam, in south Kashmir district of Pulwama, where the water level was below 18 feet, still three feet below danger mark.
At Rammnshi Bagh in the city, water level crossed 16 feet today and it was increasing by two inches per hour. But, he said, it was still below the danger mark of 18 feet.
Mr Lanker said all officials of IFC department have been directed to report to their respective zones immediately to keep a close watch on water level in river Jhelum.
The Chief Engineer said people living in temporary sheds on the banks of the river have been directed to shift to safer places in view of the increasing water level.
He said the department has already removed about 400 encroachments on the banks of the river from Sonawar to Tankipora.
Majority of them have been rehabilitated.
He said a drive will be launched to remove all illegal encroachments on the river banks from Tankipora to downstream in future. However, those who will be displaced will be rehabilitated, he said.
He said similarly, people, living in low-lying areas from Sonawari downstream of Jhelum, have also been asked to remain alert. They have been directed to shift to safer places, he added.
