Jammu, July 19: Heavy rainfall across the hilly districts of Jammu and Kashmir triggered a sharp rise in the water level of the Chenab River and several streams on Sunday, prompting authorities to place the Jammu division on high alert and urge people to stay away from riverbanks.
Officials said that all gates of the Salal Hydroelectric Project in Reasi remained open for the second consecutive day as part of the reservoir flushing process, leading to a significant increase in the discharge and flow of the Chenab River.
They said that in neighbouring Ramban district, police issued a public advisory after the opening of the gates of the Baglihar Hydroelectric Project also caused the river’s water level to rise.
Police teams have also been deployed in villages along the Chenab River in Reasi, using public address systems to warn residents against venturing near the river and advising them to keep children and livestock away from its banks.
The district administration has cautioned that the water level in the Chenab may rise suddenly due to continued discharge from the dams and appealed to people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers, streams and other water bodies.
In Ramban, police asked residents to strictly follow official advisories and avoid visiting flood-prone areas in view of the rising river level and the prevailing weather conditions.
According to rainfall data recorded during the previous 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, Reasi received 106.5 mm of rain, followed by Rajouri (103 mm), Udhampur (101.6 mm), Katra (85 mm), Poonch (77 mm), Batote (57.2 mm) and Ramban (9 mm) in the Jammu region.
Meanwhile, district administrations across Kashmir have issued weather advisories urging residents and tourists to exercise caution after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast moderate to heavy rainfall across the Valley till July 23, with the possibility of flash floods, landslides and waterlogging.
Deputy commissioners in Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla, Srinagar and Anantnag have issued advisories asking people to avoid unnecessary travel to hilly and landslide-prone areas and stay away from rivers, streams and other water bodies where water levels may rise suddenly.
The Anantnag administration also warned of flash floods, mudslides, shooting stones and overflowing streams in vulnerable areas and advised residents and visitors to avoid trekking, camping and other outdoor activities. Similar advisories have been issued by the administrations in Bandipora and Baramulla, urging people to follow official instructions, avoid flood-prone areas and remain alert in view of the forecast.
The district administrations have activated emergency response mechanisms and appealed to people to remain calm, avoid rumours and contact emergency control rooms in case of any untoward incident, officials said. (KNO)
