Kashmir valley and Jehlum river flooded after torrential rain

Floods ravaged Kashmir Valley on Monday following incessant rainfall over the past four days.  Indian authorities in the Indian-administered Kashmir have issued flood warnings after torrential rain and a surge in Jehlum river levels.

Residents began to evacuate for safer places as authorities kept a watch on swollen mountain streams and the Jhelum river which was breaking its banks. Over 20 people are reported to be missing. This alert come after more than 250 people died in September 2014 due to Worst flooding in the region over the last fifty years and displaced over 1.2 million and damaged more than 180, 000 houses in the state.

Flood level was 22.8 feet at Sangam (Anantnag), 19 feet at Ram Munshi Bagh (Srinagar) and 11.55 feet at Ashim (Bandipora) today (Monday) morning.
The official added that people living along the banks of Jhelum are advised to exercise extreme caution. ‘Moving to safer places from vulnerable areas is advised.’

People living in flood-prone areas of Srinagar city, especially those in Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Gogjibagh, Wazir Bagh and some other places have already started migrating to safer places since Sunday evening.

Many shopkeepers in the Residency Road and Lal Chowk commercial hub of the city were seen shifting merchandise to safer places.
Over 80 public and private properties were destroyed by flood and incessant rains during the last two days in the Valley.

The strategic Jammu-Srinagar highway has also been closed since Saturday. Authorities in Jammu said the highway would remain closed on Monday as well.

An avalanche warning was also sounded in the higher reaches of the state and all examinations scheduled have been postponed up to April 3.

Srinagar-Gulmarg, Srinagar-Kupwara and Srinagar-Bandipora roads have been blocked due to flash floods and washing away of some bridges and culverts on these roads.

The weather office has forecast improvement in weather from Monday..