Kashmir Impulse Desk

Jammu, July 22

Authorities in Jammu, Samba, Reasi, and Udhampur districts remained on high alert on Wednesday after the Chenab River crossed its danger mark, while intermittent rain caused water levels in other major rivers and streams to fluctuate.

The Chenab at Akhnoor crossed the danger level of 35.8 feet, three notches above the alert mark and six notches below the evacuation level. Its discharge reached about 241,000 cusecs, prompting authorities to issue fresh safety advisories.

All gates of the Salal dam in Reasi district were opened amid continuing rainfall, contributing to a rise in Chenab levels and prompting authorities to urge people to stay away from the river and other water bodies.

The Tawi in Jammu and the Basantar in Samba also recorded significant rises, while several other streams and nallahs showed fluctuating trends.

The National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force and other emergency agencies remained deployed in vulnerable areas and advised residents of low-lying zones to remain alert and move to safer locations if required.

The situation in Kathua, which had received the highest rainfall in the region, improved after the intensity of the rain declined.

Kathua received 153 mm of rain in the previous 24 hours, while Samba recorded 84.5 mm, according to the latest figures cited by authorities.

“The situation is almost normal in the district at present,” Kathua Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Sharma said, adding that the Ujh River, which had crossed the evacuation level on Tuesday, was receding.

The district administration had evacuated residents as a precaution before the Ujh reached the evacuation level, he said. As water levels declined, the evacuated residents returned home.

“No water body in the district is presently in the risk zone, rather not in the alert zone even,” Sharma said.

Several roads sustained minor damage, but major routes remained open, including the Kathua-Basohli, Kathua-Billawar and Bani-Basohli roads.

Authorities said machinery had been stationed at vulnerable locations to ensure rapid clearance in case of blockages.

A section of the Sherpur road, also known as the old Samba-Kathua road, was washed away by flash floods. Restoration work began after the water receded, officials said.

Separately, an SDRF team rescued two people stranded near Sohanjna in Phallain Mandal after a sudden rise in water levels.

Authorities continued to warn residents against approaching swollen rivers and streams, with the weather department forecasting further rain.