KL Report
SRINAGAR
River Jhelum was flowing four feet above the danger mark Thursday afternoon compelling authorities to sound a flood alert in Jammu and Kashmir. Official sources said that the water level of rivers and nallahs is increasing after every hour as the rains are continuing.
Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain has claimed 45 lives so far. 32 people were killed after a bus they were travelling in, slipped into an overflowing river in Rajouri district.
Eight persons, including a BSF officer were killed in incidents of landslides and flash floods in Jammu region alone. Five persons died in a house collapse in Reasi district.
Scores villages have been inundated by floods in south Kashmir districts of Islamabad and Kulgam. Incessant rain over the past three days has wreaked havoc in many parts of the Valley with south Kashmir’s Islamabad and Kulgam districts the worst-hit.
Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah said flood alert has been sounded in Srinagar city and all emergency services have been pressed into service to meet the eventuality of floods.
Leh-Srinagar highway remained close for the traffic following a landslide at Zojila pass near Drass.
Some parts of Srinagar city along the banks of Doodh Ganga stream were flooded as the water was flowing over the banks.
Bone and Joint Hospital Srinagar and adjoining residential areas were flooded with water.
The patients at the Bone and Joint Hospital were shifted to the upper stories of the buildings following water-logging last night.
The MeT office has forecast more rains over the next 48 hours raising the possibility of more areas of Kashmir getting flooded.
Heavy rainfall has resulted in closure of the 300 kilometer long Srinagar-Jammu highway as landslides have occurred at many places on the Highway.
