SRINAGAR: Water levels in the River Jhelum continued to climb across Kashmir on Thursday following sustained rainfall, with the Irrigation and Flood Control Department reporting rising trends at most monitoring stations. Weather observers warned that the river could cross the Flood Declaration Mark at Sangam and Ram Munshi Bagh within the next six to eight hours if rainfall persists.
According to gauge readings recorded at 12 noon, the Jhelum stood at 18.09 ft at Sangam against a Flood Declaration Mark of 21 ft, 3.87 metres at Pampore against 4.5 metres, 15.40 ft at Ram Munshi Bagh against 18 ft, and 8.79 ft at Asham against 14 ft. Water levels at all these locations were increasing. Wullar Lake also registered a rising trend, with its level recorded at 1,575.64 metres.
Among the tributaries, Vishow Nallah at Khudwani measured 7.12 metres against its Flood Declaration Mark of 7.75 metres, while Lidder Nallah at Batkoot reached 1.47 metres, just below its Flood Declaration Mark of 1.5 metres. Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi also recorded a rise, whereas Doodhganga at Barzulla showed a declining trend and Sindh Nallah at Doderhama remained stable.
In an update issued at 11.30 am, Kashmir Weather said heavy rainfall was continuing over parts of south Kashmir and was likely to persist for the next few hours. It projected that the Jhelum at Sangam and Ram Munshi Bagh could cross the Flood Declaration Mark within six to eight hours, while the Lidder and Vishow rivers were also expected to continue rising due to intensified rainfall in their catchment areas.
Residents living in low-lying areas have been advised to remain vigilant, closely monitor the situation and take appropriate precautionary measures if conditions worsen.
Meanwhile, the Tawi River at Udhampur crossed the Flood Alert Level at 12.30 pm, with the water level reaching 16.65 ft, above the alert threshold of 15 ft. The river’s Danger Level is 20 ft, while the Evacuation Level has been fixed at 23.4 ft. According to updates, the Tawi rose by more than 6.65 ft within 30 minutes, reflecting a sharp increase following heavy rainfall.
The India Meteorological Department had earlier issued a Red Warning due to the interaction between the monsoon and a western disturbance. Intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers are continuing across most parts of the Union Territory, but the prolonged spell of heavy rain is expected to ease after 3 pm to 4 pm, with substantially drier conditions likely by late evening.
