Schools to remain closed as rains lash Kashmir

SRINAGAR — Though authorities ruled out the possibility of floods in Kashmir, several areas across the Valley were submerged due to inundation. The water level in Jehlum and other water bodies on Monday late evening was recorded below the danger mark.

Authorities said that the weather is likely to improve from midnight on Monday and the water level in the water bodies will recede drastically. Though there is no imminent threat of any flood, authorities conducted crucial meetings to meet any eventuality.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, who is also the Chairman District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) chaired a meeting to review the flood control and mitigation preparations in the district. Senior Superintendent of Police, Ashish Mishra was also present in the meeting.

The Deputy Commissioner stressed on utmost coordination among line departments and formulating an efficient plan to ensure prompt response to any flood-like situation in the district. He directed the officers to remain in a state of readiness by mobilizing all men and machinery on the ground, particularly at vulnerable spots to avoid any loss of human lives or property damage.

He laid emphasis on round-the-clock monitoring of vulnerable flood-prone spots and ensuring timely dissemination of information among the people viz flood alerts, evacuation points and centres, transportation plans etc so that people are updated about the evacuation and rescue plans well in time. He directed the concerned officers to focus on the identified vulnerable spots so that rapid action is ensured in case of need or to arrest embankment breaches, if any. The DC further directed the concerned departments to formulate rescue plans, identify safe control room locations and also prepare a backup plan. He asked for strengthening communication with the ground-level staff and people during any emergency so that people do not panic and get actual information about rescue measures and places available for the public. The CMO was directed to ensure that important machinery and medicines at health institutions are kept in safer places in all the health institutions. He was also asked to evolve proper SoPs to deal with the floods like the ‘Code Blue’ being followed in hospitals, where every concerned individual is fully acquainted with their responsibilities in times of emergency. Similarly, the Deputy Director FCS&CA Department was asked to make necessary arrangements to protect the food grains from any damage due to rising water levels. The department was asked to distribute rations for the month of May 2024 among the consumers of the district in advance in the wake of the inclement weather predictions. Likewise, SMC, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Irrigation, SRTC, State Motor Garages and other line departments were directed to ensure all flood mitigation.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Syed Ahmad Kataria, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr Khalid Hussain Malik, Chief Planning Officer, Fayaz Ahmad, Superintending Engineers of Hydraulic, Mechanical Irrigation, R&B, Chief Medical Officer, Deputy Directors of Tourism, FCS&CA, SRTC, State Motor Garages, Officers from Irrigation & Flood Control and other concerned departments were present in the meeting.

Rains lashed Valley on the third consecutive day, prompting authorities to shut down the schools in different districts. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir announced the closure of all schools on Tuesday. Due to incessant rains, the Srinagar-Jammu highway and other roads also remained closed for the traffic on Monday.

Several houses were damaged due to landslides in Ramban district. A boy also died in the fateful incident. Livestock were washed away due to flash floods in a Ramban hamlet. Lightning struck in a village in Ramban, leading to the death of four horses.

Due to consistent rainfall, scores of roads were waterlogged much to the inconvenience of the general public.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse