Jhelum water level drops after surpassing the danger threshold in Kashmir.
Srinagar, July 9 : Water level in river Jehlum and its tributaries started receding at several places after crossing the danger mark following overall improvement in weather conditions in Kashmir on Sunday, officials said.The Irrigation & Flood Control Department, Kashmir, in its 5 pm water level release mentioned that the river Jhelum at Sangam, which had in the morning crossed the danger mark of 21.15 ft against the normal level of 21ft is now flowing at 20.1 ft.The water level continued to recede at Sangam in south Kashmir after rain stopped and there was considerable improvement in weather conditions also, they said.Although at Pampore, it is still flowing over the danger mark, the water level has continued to recede since morning. Earlier in the day it was recorded at 5.51m, while the normal level is 4.5m and the flood declaration level at 5.0m.At Ram Munshibagh in Srinagar, the water level receded from 19.61ft to 19.45ft at 5 pm while the official flood declaration reading is 21ft. However, the water level is likely to go down by several feet by the night, they said.Asham recorded 12.96ft, while the normal level is 14 ft and flood declaration is 16.5 ft similarly, while the water level in the famous Wullar Lake is 1577.20m – just a few meters below the danger level of 1578.0 m.In the Jhelum tributaries, the water level at Vishow nullah went down to 6.34m at Khudwani after it touched 7.05m, Rambiyara nullah was flowing at Wachi at 2.18m (5.7m), Doodhganga nullah at Barzulla at 1.56m (3.8 m), and Sindh nullah was flowing at Doderhama at 2.25m (3.9 m).Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Visited Zero Bridge and interacted with officials of the Irrigation & Flood Control Dept early on Sunday to review overall preparedness for flood management. He directed the officers to continuously monitor the water levels and disseminate early warnings to all agencies in real time.The Meteorological office said rainfall has stopped at most parts of the Kashmir valley, including in the south, while widespread rain lashed Kathua, Samba, and some places in Ramban, Doda, and Udhampur districts, causing floods and flash floods at various places.The Met Office has issued a “Red warning” for Kathua, Samba, and other lower catchment areas of the Jammu region as there is an increased risk of flood or flash flood.”All concerned are advised to stay alert during the next 24 hours,”, the Met office warned.”The overall improvement in weather is expected on July 10″, they added.(UNI)