SRINAGAR: The looming flood threat across Kashmir, following three days of incessant rainfall, has subsided as weather conditions improved on Tuesday. This brought relief to the people, who had been anxious about a repeat deluge after ten years in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the recent threat prompted the divisional administration to order the closure of schools for a day and suspend class activities as a precautionary measure to avert any untoward incidents.
Despite the improved weather conditions in Kashmir today, the Valley remains cut off as major roads and highways remain closed for vehicular traffic for the second consecutive day.
Officials said that all major highways and roads remained closed for the second consecutive day.
Although stranded vehicles from Banihal towards Jammu and Nashri towards Srinagar were allowed to move, fresh traffic was not permitted today due to ongoing restoration work.
Efforts are underway to restore the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway at several locations, including Dalwas, Mehad, and Magarkote, officials said, adding that restoration work is ongoing in these areas.
However, they noted that other roads, including the Mughal Road, Bandipora-Gurez, Sadhna Top Road, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumri (SSG) Road, and Bhaderwah-Chamba Road, remained closed to vehicular traffic today.
Meanwhile, Director of the Meteorological Department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, has predicted relief for the people, stating that dry weather is expected from Wednesday until May 5. He said that while the weather will mostly remain dry during this period, there is a possibility of afternoon thundershowers. Additionally, he mentioned a forecast of light rains on May 6.
Significantly, school activities remained suspended for a day as a precautionary measure due to the looming flood threat over the past few days.
The water levels in the Jhelum River and other streams and Nallahs rose due to the three-day wet spell in Jammu and Kashmir.
At 8:00 PM, the water level in the Jhelum River was recorded at 14.53 ft in Sangam, 4.39m in Pampore, 17.34 ft in Munshibagh, and 11.78 ft in Asham.
Other tributaries such as Vishow Nallah at Khudwani were flowing at 4.78m, while Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi was at 0.75m. Details showed that Lidder Nallah at Batkoot was at 0.31m, while Doodhganga Nallah at Barzulla and Sindh Nalla at Doderhama were flowing at 1.36m and 1.62m respectively—(KNO)
