Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 23

Authorities issued a flood alert in Kashmir on Thursday as the Jhelum River rose steadily after five days of heavy rain, although improving weather offered some relief and officials said there was no immediate threat of major flooding.

The Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) Department said flood declaration or warning levels had been crossed at Sangam, Pampore and Ram Munshi Bagh by late evening.

The river remained below the danger mark at all major monitoring stations.

At Sangam, the Jhelum was flowing at 20.24 feet at 9 pm, close to the 21-foot flood declaration level but below the 25-foot danger mark.

Officials expected the level to rise above the declaration mark before receding.

At Pampore, the river stood at 4.89 metres, above the 4.5-metre flood declaration level and just below the 5-metre danger mark. Officials said it could reach or cross the danger level within two to three hours.

The river at Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar had risen to 18.04 feet, just above its 18-feet flood declaration level.

It was expected to reach 19-20 feet but remain below the 21-feet danger mark.

“If rainfall remains suspended, the water level is expected to come down after midnight,” a Flood Control Department official said, adding that flood duty officers had been deployed at vulnerable locations along the river.

The rise in the Jhelum also increased discharge through Srinagar’s flood spill channels, which officials said were functioning normally.

Authorities advised residents to avoid the Zero Bridge area and other vulnerable locations.

The river at Asham in Bandipora was flowing at 10.81 feet, below its 14-foot flood declaration level, while Wular Lake stood at 1575.71 metres, below its 1578-metre declaration level.

Among tributaries, the Vaishaw at Khudwani briefly approached its flood declaration level before receding, while the Lidder and Doodganga also fell after peaking earlier in the day.

Rain had stopped across most of Jammu and Kashmir by Thursday evening.

The Meteorological Department forecast isolated showers, mainly over south Kashmir, but no widespread rainfall.

The wet spell, which began early Sunday, has triggered cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides across the region.

More than 22 people were killed, and seven remained missing in the worst-affected Rajouri and Poonch districts, while several other districts reported damage to homes, roads, crops and public infrastructure.

In Kashmir, floodwaters washed away a shopping complex in Beerwah after the Sukhnag Nallah overflowed, while flash floods and landslides damaged farmland and apple orchards in several districts.

Authorities urged residents to stay away from rivers, streams and other water bodies until water levels recede.