Kashmir Breathes Sigh of Relief: Flood Fears Recede as Rains Ease and Jhelum Retreats

Kashmir has collectively held its breath for days, watching the skies and the surging waters of the Jhelum River with bated anticipation. But now, a palpable wave of relief is sweeping across the valley as the relentless downpours have finally eased, causing the mighty Jhelum to begin its much-awaited retreat, significantly diminishing the immediate threat of floods.

The anxious vigilance has transformed into cautious optimism as official reports confirm a marked reduction in rainfall since Tuesday night.

This welcome respite has had an immediate impact on the water levels of the Jhelum, which had been steadily climbing, sparking fears of a repeat of past devastating floods. At Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar, the water level has now comfortably fallen to 15.39 feet, well below the critical flood alarm mark of 18 feet and the flood declaration level of 21 feet.

Similarly, at Sangam in Anantnag, the river now flows at 17.06 feet, a comforting distance from its flood alarm level of 21 feet and declaration level of 23 feet.

The Meteorological Department brings further good tidings, forecasting only scattered light rain or thundershowers for the next 24 hours, to be followed by a promising spell of dry weather.

This improved outlook is a balm for residents who had endured continuous rainfall, leading to widespread waterlogging in low-lying areas and even triggering landslides that temporarily disrupted crucial arteries like the Jammu-Srinagar national highway and the Anantnag-Kokernag road. While the situation had been tense, thankfully, no major damage from flooding has been reported across the valley.

Throughout the challenging period, authorities remained vigilant and proactive.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting, meticulously reviewing the administration's preparedness and response mechanisms. Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, V.K. Bidhuri, had earlier urged the public to remain calm and avoid panic, while also advising people residing in low-lying areas to take necessary precautions.

With the skies clearing and the river subsiding, the Met department has now issued an advisory encouraging farmers to resume their essential agricultural activities, signaling a gentle return to normalcy for the picturesque valley.