Rising Jhelum Waters Trigger Flood Fears in Kashmir; Authorities Step Up Preparedness

Srinagar, Sept 2025: The water bodies in the Kashmir Valley have reached alarming levels following continuous heavy rainfall, with the Jhelum River crossing danger marks at Sangam and Pampore and approaching warning levels at Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (I&FC), the latest gauge readings show critical levels. At Sangam, the Jhelum stood at 26.11 ft against a danger mark of 25 ft. At Pampore, the river recorded 5.51 m, surpassing the 5 m danger level. Meanwhile, at Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar, the river touched 18.69 ft, close to its 18 ft warning mark.

Other readings include Asham at 9.27 ft (danger mark: 16.5 ft) and Wullar Lake at 1576.54 m (full level: 1578 m). Among tributaries, Vishow Nallah at Khudwani registered 11.20 m (danger mark: 8.5 m), Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi recorded 3.94 m (danger mark: 5.7 m), Lidder Nallah at Batkoot reached 1.59 m (danger mark: 1.65 m), and Sindh Nallah at Doderhama was at 3.78 m (danger mark: 3.9 m).

Local Inundation and Resident Distress

In Khushipora Telbal, residents reported sudden inundation of homes, lanes, and the main road. Eyewitnesses said water levels rose quickly, leaving little time to respond. “Water entered our homes within minutes. We could do little except protect children and elderly members,” a local resident said.

Some areas of Mehjoor Nagar and Telbal also experienced waterlogging. Many households reported damage to goods stored on ground floors, while mobility in these neighborhoods has been severely restricted.

As a precaution, authorities have closed the old Barzulla Srinagar bridge to traffic.

Government Monitoring and Advisories

Officials said that the I&FC is closely monitoring the situation and urged residents to avoid riverbanks and low-lying areas. Emergency response teams have been placed on standby should conditions worsen.

To review preparedness, a joint contingency meeting was held at the Police Control Room in Srinagar. The session was attended by senior officials, including the Special DGP (Coordination) PHQ J&K, Commandant General HG/CD & SDRF, IGP Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, IGP Traffic, DIGs, Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division, all district SSPs, as well as representatives from the Army, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and other allied departments.

Flood Preparedness Review

During the meeting, district heads briefed participants on the evolving flood situation and measures underway in their respective areas. The Divisional Commissioner outlined preparations, including embankment protection, rescue and evacuation planning, and contingency arrangements along the Jhelum and major tributaries.

Alternate communication systems were also discussed to ensure coordination in case of network disruption. Officers emphasized the importance of synergy across agencies and highlighted the urgent need for a robust disaster mitigation strategy to safeguard lives and property.

It was resolved to:

• Maintain a high state of readiness across districts.
• Deploy manpower and machinery at vulnerable points.
• Ensure real-time dissemination of information to the public.
• Conduct prompt evacuations wherever required.

The establishment of Joint Control Rooms, with representatives from the civil administration, Police, Army, CAPFs, Flood & Irrigation, and other agencies, was also deliberated.

Collective Resolve

The review underscored proactive preparedness, stressing stronger inter-agency coordination and rapid response mechanisms. Participants collectively resolved to remain vigilant and ensure quick action if the flood situation escalates.

For now, while water levels remain precarious, officials said the administration is fully mobilized to mitigate risks and protect vulnerable populations.