Flood threat in Kashmir reduces, toll climbs to 16

The flood threat in the Kashmir Valley reduced with improved weather and receding water levels.

Jhelum was flowing at 16.45 feet at Sangam in south Kashmir, down over six feet compared to 22.80 feet 24 hours earlier, while the water level at Ram Munshi Bagh in the city also reduced by more than one and a half feet and it was expected to drop further during the day.

The death toll in the flash floods rose to 16, with six more bodies recovered from the site of the landslide in Budgam district.

Although the weather has been cloudy, there has been no fresh rainfall over the past 24 hours which has eased flood concerns in the city. There are forecasts for light to moderate rains later in the day and tomorrow.

"Light to moderate rainfall is expected in Kashmir over the next 24 hours," a MET department spokesman said.

The Centre said the flood situation in Jammu and Kashmir so far is not as grave as last year but authorities are on alert to deal with any situation.

"Situation is not as grave as last time. But we are fully alert and if required we will send more assistance," Home Minister Rajnath Singh told PTI in Bagdogra.

A senior police official said that six bodies were recovered from the debris in Laden village in Budgam district, taking the death toll to 16 in Jammu and Kashmir. One person trapped in the landslide is feared dead.

Four houses had collapsed due to caving in of earth in Budgam yesterday, trapping two families.

Heavy rainfall on Saturday and Sunday led to a sudden surge in the water level of Jhelum and its tributaries, causing panic among the residents of the Valley about the possibility of fresh floods.