MEA predicts more rains for J&K, flood toll reaches 17

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir was bracing for a fresh spell of rains as predicted by Met department, leading to nervousness among the people who were heaving a sigh of relief as flood situation was showing improvement today after causing the death of 17 people. There has been no fresh rainfall over the past 24 hours, which eased the flood concerns in the valley earlier in the day.

Water level in river Jhelum was also receding and it was flowing at 16.45 feet at Sangam in south Kashmir, down over six feet compared to 22.80 feet 24 hours earlier. 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 by the night.

However, the Met department has forecast light to moderate rains by tomorrow, raising fresh concerns among people who were hoping to see the end of woes caused by the floods that have already occurred.

Schools and colleges have been closed across the Valley in view of the flood threat and ongoing examinations have been postponed. However, University of Kashmir will hold examinations as per schedule from tomorrow in view of the improving flood situation, an official of the varsity said.

As rescue operations continued, 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.

Meanwhile, six bodies were today recovered from the debris of four houses, which collapsed in Laden village in Budgam district yesterday, taking the death toll in the incident to 16. Ten bodies had been recovered till last night. One person trapped in the landslide is also feared dead but there was no confirmation. One person had died in flash floods in Udhampur area of Jammu region.

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who was rushed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Valley yesterday to assess the situation there, presented his report to him today, suggesting a number of measures to address the problem permanently.