Flood alert sounded in Kashmir

A flood alert was sounded in Kashmir on Thursday as the level of Jhelum river crossed the danger mark in some areas, an official said.

The level of the river at Sangam in Anantnag district was 26.80 ft., which is above the danger mark, while it was 19.80 ft. at Ram Munshibagh in Srinagar city at 8 a.m., also above the danger mark.

"A high flood alert has been sounded in the Kashmir Valley. All staff with flood protection duties have been ordered to report on duty," an official of the provincial administration told IANS here on Thursday.

The low lying areas in south Kashmir Kulgam district have been inundated due to the flood waters of the local Vessu river. People from these villages have left for safer places after over a dozen houses suffered damage due to flash floods.

Incessant rainfall since Wednesday has swollen all rivers, mountain streams and seasonal rivulets in the valley.

The Met Office has forecast more rainfall till Thursday evening.

"The weather will start to improve from today (Thursday) evening," an official said.

Kashmir witnessed one of history's worst floods in September last year.