Jhelum Shows Receding Trend After Night of Breach Fears

SRINAGAR: Hours after breaches in the Jhelum embankment near Zinpora in Pampore triggered panic and precautionary evacuations on the outskirts of Srinagar, water levels in the river showed signs of receding on Thursday morning.

According to official gauge readings, at 6 am, the Jhelum was flowing at 27.41 feet at Sangam and 22.15 feet at Ram Munshibagh. Both sites had crossed their danger marks — 25 feet at Sangam and 21 feet at Ram Munshibagh — but the levels have begun to dip gradually, offering some relief to residents and authorities. Barring Veshav Nallah, all Jhelum tributories are gradually stabilising.

Despite the receding trend, officials cautioned that the risk of inundation remains in several low-lying belts. A breach near Pampore on Wednesday night had already led to water entering habitations in Shalina and adjoining areas, while the Srinagar district administration advised residents of Lasjan, Soiteng, Nowgam, Vyethpora, Golpora, Padshahibagh, and Mehjoornagar to move to safer locations.

Relief centres with designated nodal officers remain functional, and rescue teams are on standby in case of fresh breaches or a reversal in the water trend. Authorities said announcements through masjids and local committees would continue until the situation fully stabilises.

Officials described the current easing as encouraging but warned that heavy overnight rainfall in South Kashmir could still influence the river’s behaviour through the day.