Srinagar, September 4
Though there was a respite in downpour across the valley, the flood situation, with rivers flowing above the danger mark, continued to be grim in the Kashmir valley for the fourth consecutive day today.
The valley remained cut off from the rest of the country, while parts of Anantnag and Pulwama districts of south Kashmir were marooned and road connectivity disrupted. The Ladakh region also remained cut off from the rest of the world on the third consecutive day today due to heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of Sonmarg and Zojila Pass.
The water level in the Jhelum river had come down by two feet since yesterday. But it was still nine feet above the danger mark at Sangam in south Kashmir. It was about two feet above the danger mark at Ram Munshi Bagh here today, and three feet above the danger mark at Asham in north Kashmir district of Baramula.
Scores of villages in south Kashmir districts of Anantnag and Pulwama remained under flood waters. Parts of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway were also submerged at several places, including at Awantipora and Sangam areas, about 30 to 40 km from here.
The 40-km-long Srinagar-Pulwama road was blocked due to water-logging and flash floods at Barsoo. There were no official reports on the loss of human life and damage to standing paddy crops due to the flood waters.
Reports suggested that six persons had died of floods so far. However, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Basharat Ahmad, has directed all deputy commissioners of the valley to submit an early and detailed report regarding the damage to standing crops, human lives, livestock, road communication and other infrastructure due to flash flood in the valley.
The south Kashmir districts
of Anantnag and Pulwama and Srinagar have been affected badly. Budgam in central Kashmir has been partly affected by the floods. Adequate measures have been taken in Baramula and Kupwara districts of north Kashmir to face any eventuality, particularly in parts of Baramula district, in view of the fury in the Jhelum river.
Meanwhile, the PDP President and MP, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, who visited the flood-affected areas of Anantnag and Pulwama yesterday, was informed by the people about the massive loss of property. She has called for the immediate deployment of cranes, water pumps and boats in the worst-affected areas.
She said at most of places bridges and culverts had got choked due to fallen trees, which need to be cleared.
She demanded free rations, blankets and clothing for the people of the affected areas, a PDP spokesman said. The government should conduct an extensive survey of the loss to property and crops and award reasonable compensation to the affected.
The BSNL today extended the last date for the payment of mobile post-paid bills by one week. The due date now has been fixed for September 11 to provide relief to the subscribers in view of the flood situation. A spokesman of the BSNL said in view of heavy rains and floods there was a possibility of telecommunication services getting unsatisfactory in some parts of the Kashmir Valley. All efforts were being made to ensure smooth service, he added.
