Srinagar, Jul 22: Amid a rise in the water level due to the ongoing wet spell in Jammu & Kashmir, the government on Wednesday said the situation was well under control and there was no need to panic.
Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC), Showkat Hussain, told Rising Kashmir that the overall flood situation in the Valley remains under control despite isolated cloudburst incidents in some areas.Hussain said a cloudburst at Tosamaidan on Tuesday triggered an untoward incident in Sukhnag, Budgam, but the situation has improved significantly.“Whenever a cloudburst occurs, it naturally creates panic in the affected area.
However, barring such isolated incidents, the overall situation is normal. The water level in the Jhelum River is within the normal range, and there is no cause for concern at present,” he said.He said another cloudburst was reported in the Dachigam area, where I&FC teams have already reached and are assessing the situation.
The Chief Engineer said the department has made adequate preparations to deal with any emergency arising due to the ongoing rainfall.“We have sufficient stocks of flood-fighting material, including sandbags.
Our field staff has been deployed across vulnerable locations and is carrying out regular patrolling. Control rooms are already functional, while men and machinery have been kept on their toes,” he said.Hussain further said the department is working in shifts to ensure a swift response to any emergency and is closely monitoring the situation round the clock.He urged people not to venture near rivers, streams or embankments merely to witness the rising water levels.
“People should stay away from water bodies and avoid believing or spreading rumours. In case of any emergency, they should immediately contact the district administration or our rescue teams,” he said.The Chief Engineer also appealed to residents to download the Kashmir Flood Watch mobile application to receive real-time updates and flood-related alerts.
