Afaq Bhat
Srinagar, Aug 26: Rains breaking a dry spell in Kashmir has relieved the people as they were struggling to beat the sweltering heat which the Valley was witnessing for the past many days.
The weatherman had predicted well in advance that the rains are on the way. He has also warned about flash floods and this has created a scare.
It’s in place to mention here after the Valley witnessed worst floods of the century in 2014, since then flood scare terrifies the people. “We need to get over this fear. The floods which we witnessed in 2014 were caused to due to heavy downpour which continued for many days. This time around the weatherman has predicted that weather will improve within two days. There is no need to panic, but people living in the areas around the rivers and nallahs should take precautions as flash floods can wreak havoc that too within no time,” an official told Precious Kashmir.
As per official figures, the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, the authorities have declared floods at least nine times since devastating floods of September 2014.
After 2014 the water level also increased above the danger mark or created flood like situation in March 2015, April 2015, June 2015, July 2015, September 2015, April 2017, June 2018, and June 2019.
Another official said, “After the weatherman predicted that the weather will turn inclement the entire official machinery has been put on alert. The levels of major rivers and streams are being monitored. People living in the areas where the possibility about flashfloods is high have been asked to shift to the safer areas till the rains subside.”
The official said, “We are aware about the fact that these are COVID times and people need our support. All of us are hoping that weather will improve and people will heave a sigh of relief.”
The official said that people living in the low lying areas in Srinagar city need not panic as there is no such warning for these areas. “After 2014 floods fear has crept into us. We have kept our fingers crossed, since yesterday night we are recalling what we faced six years ago,” said Shahid Ahmed of Jawahar Nagar.
He said, “We are aware about the fact that there is no flood threat as such but still we are worried. In 2014 two stories of our house were under water and we lost everything. Somehow we have tried to rebuild our home again and the very thought of flood sends shivers down our spine.”
Kashmir: Rains bring relief but flood scare creates fear
