Jhelum Swells Beyond Danger Mark at Multiple Points as Flood Threat Looms Over Kashmir

SRINAGAR: With heavy rains continuing across Kashmir, the River Jhelum on Wednesday night flowed above the danger mark at several locations, heightening fears of floods reminiscent of past deluges. Official data released at 9:00 PM by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department showed the river crossing critical levels at Sangam and Srinagar’s Munshi Bagh, while water at Pampore also surged dangerously high.

At Sangam in south Kashmir, the traditional gauge that signals the Valley’s vulnerability, the Jhelum stood at 23.12 feet against the danger mark of 21 feet and well above the flood declaration level of 25 feet. In Srinagar city, the river swelled to 21.10 feet at Munshi Bagh, breaching the 18-foot warning threshold and touching the flood level of 21 feet. Officials said that any further rise could trigger a full-fledged flood declaration in the capital. At Pampore, the river was measured at 6.08 metres, significantly above the danger mark of 5 metres.

However, at Asham in north Kashmir, the Jhelum remained below critical levels, recording 11.99 feet against the danger mark of 14 feet. Similarly, the outflow into Wullar Lake stood at 1575.66 metres, below its maximum capacity of 1578 metres, providing some buffer to absorb excess discharge.

The situation in the tributaries presented a mixed picture. Vishow Nallah at Khudwani was flowing at 7.48 metres, just under the danger mark of 7.75 metres. Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi was reported at 2.87 metres against the warning level of 5.4 metres, offering some relief. The Lidder at Batkoot ran low at 0.62 metres, while the Sindh Nallah at Doderhama recorded 1.70 metres, both well below danger levels.

An official from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said that the next 12 hours will be crucial. “The river is already flowing at alarming levels in south Kashmir and Srinagar. If rainfall persists through the night, there is every chance of a flood declaration,” he warned, urging people in low-lying areas to remain alert.

The government has said it is closely monitoring the situation, with teams of the State Disaster Response Force and other agencies kept on standby. Memories of the devastating 2014 floods, when the Jhelum had breached its embankments, have already prompted people in vulnerable neighbourhoods to start shifting belongings to safer places.