Incessant rainfall: Schools closed in Kashmir today, Jmu-Sgr NH blocked

Mughal Rd continues to remain closed; Cloudburst in Kherkot area of Banihal kills livestock

STATE TIMES NEWS

SRINAGAR: Authorities in Kashmir have announced closure of all schools in the valley on Tuesday as a precautionary measure in view of the rising water level in rivers and streams due to incessant rainfall over the past three days.
The University of Kashmir has also postponed all examinations that were scheduled to be held on Tuesday.
The water level in water bodies across Kashmir has been rising due to the continuous rainfall, according to officials.
While a danger warning has been issued for the Pohru Nallah in Kupwara district, the water level in other water bodies of the valley, including the Jhelum river, is still below the alert mark. The meteorological department has forecast wet weather till Tuesday evening.
The Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, issued the order to suspend classes in all schools up to the higher secondary level on Tuesday.
The step has been taken as a precautionary measure in view on the incessant rainfall, according to the order.
The Meteorological Department said, “The weather will improve from tomorrow. The weather will be generally dry with no major activity from May 1 to May 5.”
Earlier in the day, heavy rainfall in Kupwara district forced authorities to suspend classes in schools.
“In view of inclement weather and avalanche warning issued by JKDMA, the class work in all the schools is suspended across the district on April 29 as a precautionary measure for the safety of students,” an official had said.
He had said however, teaching and non-teaching staff shall attend their duties to monitor the situation and ensure safety of assets of their respective institutions.
Some areas of Handwara and Kupwara towns have been waterlogged, prompting authorities to launch an evacuation operation for the affected residents.
Water levels in water bodies across Kashmir have been rising due to the continuous rainfall over the past 48 hours. A danger warning has been issued for Pohru Nallah in Kupwara, according to officials.
The water level in other water bodies, including the Jhelum river, is still below the alert mark.
The rain has led to waterlogging in some areas of Handwara and Kupwara towns, prompting the authorities to launch an operation to evacuate the affected residents.
The meteorological department has forecast wet weather till Tuesday evening.
“The weather will improve from Tuesday. The weather will be generally dry with no major activity from May 1 to May 5,” a Met department official said.
Meanwhile, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed following multiple landslides triggered by rains that lashed wide parts of Jammu and Kashmir overnight, officials said.
The highway, the only all-weather road linking Kashmir with rest of the country, was blocked by landslides at Mehar, Gangroo, Mom Passi and Kishtwari Pather in Ramban district.
The rains are continuing, hampering restoration works, they said, advising commuters to avoid journey on the highway till it is cleared of the debris.
Mughal road, an alternate route linking Poonch and Rajouri districts in Jammu with south Kashmir’s Shopian district, remained closed for the third day owing to snowfall in Peer Ki Gali and adjoining areas, the officials said.
Amid the incessant rains, authorities in Kishtwar have ordered closure of schools in the district.
The decision to suspend class work for the day has been taken in the interest of prioritising the safety and well-being of students, staff, and the broader community given the current challenges posed by the adverse weather conditions, an official said.
He said efforts are on to restore water supply to Kishtwar town which was snapped following significant damage to the main 250 mm diameter water supply pipes of the Naigad Water Supply scheme at Hunjala on Sunday.
Police officials said two houses were damaged due to landslide at Basha-Simbool village of Kishtwar, while dozens of livestock perished in incidents of lightning and flash floods in Ramban and Samba districts overnight.
Rains lashed many parts of Jammu and Kashmir for the second day on Monday.
STATE TIMES correspondent adds that after land sinking in Parnote area of Ramban, yet another incident of natural calamity occurred in Kherkot area of Banihal where huge loss of livestock has been reported due to cloudburst, an official said.
According to reports, torrential rains lashed Sub Division Banihal since last 2 days. In the meantime, a cloudburst strikes in the Kherkot area of Banihal resulting into the killing of the livestock including Horses, sheep and goats of a nomadic family, who take shelter in the area during their annual migration to Kashmir.
This scribe also reached the spot to know the situation after cloudburst in the area.
While sharing details, Tehsildar Banihal said that in Kherkot area of Banihal, five horses of a nomadic family have been killed while two horses are missing due to cloudburst in the area followed by flash flood in a local canal.
“Beside, 35 sheep and goats have also been washed away in the canal due to flood,” Tehsildar added.
According to reports, the livestock was owned by Abdul Hameed Bakrwal son of Haji Mir, resident of Bakrwal Chak Qazigand.
Immediately after the incident, Tehsildar Banihal, local people of Nowgaam and Kherkot along with Police, Revenue Department and Animal Husbandry Department teams reached the area for rescue and relief.
The locals have appealed to the administration for immediate help and compensation.

Teenager dies, two houses damaged in fresh landslide at Ramban

RAMBAN: Two houses were damaged and a teenager died after landslide hit the Karool area of Jammu Kashmir’s Ramban district on Monday.
As per details, due to incessant rains, landslide occurred in Karool hamlet of Ramban district resulting in the damage of two residential houses. A 13-year-old boy was also hit by the landslide leading to his death. He has been identified as Yaqub Hassan Mir.
Police in this regard have registered a case under relevant sections of law.

Div Com assesses situation

SRINAGAR: In view of the incessant heavy rainfall, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on Monday convened a high level meeting to assess the overall situation and rescue operations.
The meeting was attended by DIG Police, Kashmir; Deputy Commissioners; Chief Engineer Irrigation & Flood Control; Chief Engineer PWD; Chief Engineer PDD; CE, J&K ERA; Director IMD; officers of NDRF, SDRF, NHIDCL, PHE, Health, Civil Defense, NHDCL,NHAI, SMC and other concerned departments.
Addressing the meeting, Div Com directed round the clock functioning of Control Rooms in every district to monitor the flood situation during night, and deputation of senior officers and field staff for restoration of essential services besides responding to any exigency. He also directed HoDs to depute one senior officer each at Integrated Command & Control Centre, HMT for close synergy and coordination to monitor the situation besides dissemination of correct, factual and timely information.
The Div Com directed DCs to work on a need based evacuation plan of people from low lying areas in case of inundation by flood in their respective districts. He also directed for identification and activation of safe shelter centres to house the affected families. He also directed them to review updation of IRDN with inventory and resources to make information available to stakeholders and agencies. He said resources shall be mobilized promptly, smoothly and with certainty to ensure execution of plans.
He instructed DCs to issue advisory regarding the condition of roads in their district to keep the public informed so that the public doesn’t get stranded.
Meanwhile, as precautionary measure, Div Com directed closure of Schools on Tuesday in all districts of Kashmir Division.
The meeting was informed by Director IMD that the weather situation will improve from mid-night today while CE I&FC informed that water level in Jhelum is below danger level.