Jhelum Breach Submerges Parts of Kashmir

Srinagar- A sudden breach in the Jhelum embankment late Thursday night unleashed floodwaters across several parts of Kashmir, submerging homes, inundating streets, and forcing nearly 9,500 residents to evacuate. Residents of areas like Zainpora in Pampore and the outskirts of Srinagar, including Taigan and Shalina, watched helplessly as floodwaters entered their homes “We built this house brick by brick over many years. In just one night, it was inundated before us,” said Ghulam Hassan, pointing to the water-filled courtyard of his two-storey home. Eyewitnesses recalled hearing “three loud bangs” before water rushed in like a monster, flooding alleys, fields, and residential areas. Families ran barefoot into the darkness, carrying children and elderly relatives, while others climbed rooftops and upper stories to escape the rising waters. “My dowry floated out like a toy. I could do nothing but watch,” said Rafiqa, hands trembling. “That chest had my daughter’s future. How will I face her now?” The memories of the 2014 floods resurfaced instantly. “Back then we thought it was once in a lifetime. But this… this feels worse,” said Abdul Majid, a farmer. “In 2014 we lost crops. This time we saw our homes drown.” Heavy rainfall on Wednesday afternoon caused river levels to rise across Jammu and Kashmir, culminating in the breach. While water levels have begun receding in some areas, flood threats persist in Pampore and Ram Munshi Bagh, where readings still exceed the danger mark. Other areas, including Asham and Wullar, show improvement, though many tributaries remain above safe levels.

Rescue Operations and Receding Water Levels Authorities immediately launched massive rescue operations. Nearly 9,500 people were evacuated from flood-affected areas in Budgam and Srinagar. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, said precautionary evacuations had prevented any loss of life. Police and SDRF teams evacuated nearly 200 families from Srinagar, including Peerzo Island, Basant Bagh, Bonyarbal, Safakadal, Hazratbal, and other vulnerable localities. Quick reaction teams assisted stranded citizens, relocating them to safer areas. Meanwhile, a sense of relief emerged as the water level at the Sangam station of the Jhelum river receded below the danger mark after 28 hours. However, the flood threat persists in some areas as the water level remains above the danger mark in Pampore and Ram Munshi Bagh. The latest readings show the water level at Pampore is 6.36m (danger mark: 5m) and Ram Munshi Bagh is 21.62ft (danger mark: 21ft) Precautionary Vehicle Shifts With parts of Srinagar and adjoining areas under the grip of a fresh flood scare, people were seen moving their vehicles to higher and safer locations to protect them from possible submergence. Hundreds of cars, three-wheelers, and commercial vehicles were parked on flyovers, elevated grounds, and along the Jhelum flood channel bunds as a precaution.

The unusual sight created long rows of parked vehicles across several locations, reflecting public caution born from the devastating 2014 floods. Back then, thousands of vehicles were submerged, most beyond repair, and even those salvaged were viewed with suspicion by buyers. “Back in 2014, we lost not only our homes but also our vehicles. This time we know better. As soon as the water levels rose, we parked our cars on higher ground. It may be inconvenient, but it is far better than watching them drown,” said a local from Jawahar Nagar. Officials confirmed that while areas including Taigan, Sumerbugh, and Shalina were inundated due to the Jhelum breach, large parts of Srinagar remained safe. The administration has urged residents to remain calm but vigilant as water levels in the river gradually decline. Landslides and Disrupted Infrastructure In addition to the floods, a series of landslides has wreaked havoc across Jammu and Kashmir. In Kishtwar, a landslide at the Ratle power project site trapped five people, who were later rescued. The Jammu-Katra shuttle train was out of service for a second consecutive day due to flood-related damage. The landslides have also damaged nearly 30 kilometers of fencing along the international border in the Jammu division. Furthermore, a 200-meter stretch of National Highway-44 was damaged by a major landslide in Udhampur, adding to the difficulties faced by commuters. In Ramban, police and local administration rescued around 50 stranded tourists from West Bengal near Nashri after flash floods and falling debris blocked the road. Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, praised the timely response of the Kishtwar district administration, ensuring no casualties during the landslide incident.