Need to stay alert, follow advisories: Div Com Kashmir

Srinagar, September 03: With incessant overnight rains swelling rivers and streams across the Valley, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Wednesday cautioned residents to “stay very careful and follow all advisories,” even as he assured that contingency and rescue plans were in place to tackle any emergency.

“The flow of rain was much more than last night, especially in South Kashmir. In Central Kashmir, it rained all night and this morning as well, because of which the water levels are increasing. They are increasing in Sangam as well. There is a rising trend in Ramunshi Bagh,” Garg said.

According to him, inputs from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicate that “the rain levels should recede after 12 o’clock and we should get more relief by evening.”

Meanwhile, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department has deployed sandbags along Doodh Ganga, with Garg stating that work “will be completed in the next few minutes.”

District disaster teams, he said, have also evacuated several families from low-lying areas in South Kashmir. “Some families have been shifted to DC’s Siddharth. DC Srinagar and its team have also placed contingency plans in the district. Police and SDRF teams are in place. Our emergency operation centres are working, our power systems are up and running, telecom services are okay,” he said.

On preparedness in Srinagar, Garg acknowledged rising levels in Jehlum but said the situation was under watch. “Last week, there were some issues in Kursu, Rajbagh and Pamposh Colony where inundations occurred. Today, there have not been any major-scale inundations. If there is a need, rescue teams are in place and will be rescued immediately. Our magisterial teams are also in place so that they can alert people in time.”

Giving details of overnight operations, he said the DC Kulgam team “has been active since last night. There were 9 villages where we had to rescue, around 2,500 people had to be shifted to relief shelters. Some people shifted to their relatives. The flow in Vaishu Nala was high. It is still raining in South Kashmir.”

The Div Com said that while the IMD has predicted improvement, administration remains in full preparedness mode. “For now, in Anantnag and Kulgam, where there are inundations in low-lying areas, evacuation protocols are in place. The situation is very dynamic. If water levels proceed as per the IMD forecast and start receding in the evening, then I think the situation will return to normal. If we have to take any other contingency measures, then it will be decided by the competent authorities,” he said.

Appealing for vigilance, Garg said that all need to be very careful and cautious. “We need to be alert and to follow all the advisories from the district administration. Stay away from water bodies. We will try to respond immediately to the evolving situations.”(KNS)