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In pictures: Resilient Kashmir stays afloat even as water levels rise

Sehar Qazi | Updated on: 7 April 2017, 19:07 IST
Kashmiri boatmen paddle a shikara across Dal Lake amid dense fog following rainfall in Srinagar on 6 April, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / Tauseef MUSTAFA)

Kashmir experienced rare snowfall in the month of April and heavy rains during last 48 hours. Due to the combined effect of rainfall and melting snow, the Valley has become engulfed in a flood-like situation.

In Srinagar, a flood was declared by the authorities after the Jhelum’s water level reached 18 feet in the Ram Munshibagh area. The highest water level was recorded at Sangam – 22.10 feet. Not only this, several other water bodies like streams, rivers, and lakes also rose above the danger mark.

A Kashmiri resident walks through a flooded house on the outskirts of Srinagar on 7 April, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / Tauseef MUSTAFA)
A Kashmiri boatman sits in a shikara on Dal Lake amid rainfall in Srinagar on 6 April 2017. (AFP PHOTO / Tauseef MUSTAFA)

Water level in tributaries like Veishow, Rambiara and Lidder streams has receded in past few hours. Water has entered houses in several areas including Jawahar Nagar, Batmaloo, Bemina, Mehjoornagar, Shivpora, Chanapora and the adjoining places.

Schools and colleges in Srinagar and other areas of the Kashmir Valley have been closed due to the weather conditions.

Kashmiri residents walk through floodwater on the outskirts of Srinagar on 7 April, 2017. (AFP PHOTO / Tauseef MUSTAFA)
A Kashmiri resident stands near a house damaged by a landslide, which police said damaged three properties, near the Shankaracharya Hill at Gagribal on April 7, 2017 (AFP PHOTO / TAUSEEF MUSTAFA)

In north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, several areas including Khawajabagh, Friend’s Colony, Azad Gunj, Main Chowk, Deluna, Sheeri, Sangrama, Chakla, Nadihal, Janbazpora, Stadium Colony and Kreeri were also submerged under rain water.

At Hygam, Rengi, and Nayeedkhay, boats were used to shift people to safer places when the water level began increasing in the Jhelum and in nearby water streams.

Jehangir Chowk/Srinagar (Owais Farooqi)
Srinagar (Owais Farooqi)
Srinagar (Owais Farooqi)

Meanwhile, Narendra Modi has reached out to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and offered support in dealing with the flood situation in the Valley.

First published: 7 April 2017, 18:44 IST