Budgam

Following heavy downpour, the Jammu and Kashmir State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is actively engaged in carrying out rescue operations in the flood-affected areas of Budgam district.

Speaking to ANI, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SDRF Masroor Ahmad Mir informed that nearly 600 to 650 civilians have been shifted to safe locations from the flooded areas in south Kashmir.

"The rescue operation is underway, given the flood situation. We have rescued many people in South Kashmir and relocated them to safer areas. 600-650 people have been shifted to safer locations," SSP Mir said.

Meanwhile, the evacuations and rescue operations are being carried out by the Jammu and Kashmir Police in Anantnag.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) district president Rouf Ahmad Sheikh criticised the Omar Abdullah government, labelling it as "incapable of doing anything."

"We want to work as much as possible on the situation here and help people who have problems and have been affected by the flood. I don't think the present government here is capable of doing anything. We don't see anyone from the government," Sheikh said.

Following the rise in the water level of the Jhelum in Jammu & Kashmir, Union territory Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that residents affected by the river's breach had been safely evacuated from their affected area on Thursday.

In a post on X, Omar Abdullah said that due to the occurrence of a breach in the Jhelum bund near village Zoonipora, Budgam, there has been inundation in nearby areas. Thus, due to the breach, residents of the affected villages, specifically Shalina, Rakh Shalina, and Baghi Shakirshah, have been evacuated. These areas, due to the breach of the Jhelum, had come under water.

"In the early hours, a breach occurred in the River Jhelum bund near village Zoonipora, Budgam, resulting in inundation of nearby areas. Consequently, the villages Shalina, Rakh Shalina, and Baghi Shakirshah have come under water. Residents of these villages were safely evacuated during the night to designated rescue centres and safer locations," said Abdullah.

However, as per Abdullah, there is an apprehension of inundation in the villages of Seerbagh and Summerbugh. Currently, the rescue team is working to relocate people from these areas to safety.

In response to the ongoing flood-like situation and heavy waterlogging in various parts of the city, Srinagar Police, in close coordination with SDRF and River Police, has activated a comprehensive evacuation and relocation plan to safeguard the lives and well-being of affected citizens.

According to an official release, police teams from concerned Police Stations, along with River Police and SDRF units, have been deployed under the supervision of territorial officers across multiple vulnerable locations in the district.

These teams have successfully evacuated and relocated nearly 200 families and individuals from the most severely impacted areas.

Pertinently, 24 families and houseboat dwellers have been rescued and relocated from Peerzo Island and Basantbagh. 39 families evacuated and relocated from vulnerable areas, including Bonyarbal, SR Gunj, Malik Sahib, Safakdal, Pamposh Colony, Noorbagh, Guzarbal, and Madanyar Fateh Kadal.

20 families and individuals evacuated and relocated from Dedi Kadal, Habba Kadal, Zaindar Mohalla, Tankipora, Karan Nagar, Kursoo, Iqbal Colony, and Aramwari. 20 families rescued and relocated from Tailbal and the vulnerable areas of Hazratbal.

63 individuals rescued and relocated from Panzinara-Mujgund, Bund Side, Maloora Bund, Khawajabagh Bund, Parimpora Bund, Bilal Colony Bund, Qamarwari, Rampora Chattabal Bund, Zenpora, and Tengan.

In addition to evacuation efforts, Srinagar Police has proactively identified and plugged potential breaches in embankments, preventing further escalation of the flood-like situation.

Moreover, Srinagar Police has established 24x7 dedicated helplines to assist citizens in any crises-like situation, in addition to publishing official phone numbers of all officers of the District for any and every assistance in these times.

Continuous heavy rainfall has been witnessed in several parts of Jammu & Kashmir, with rivers swelling and flash flood-like conditions reported across multiple districts.

In Rajouri, incessant downpours have led to flood-like conditions, forcing authorities to remain on high alert. Meanwhile, in Doda's Bhalesa and Bhaderwah areas, torrential rains continued for the second consecutive day, triggering flood-like conditions.

Amid incessant rains, the Tawi River is in full spate, while in Srinagar, the Jhelum River's water level rose significantly. Similarly, the Chenab River is in full spate due to continuous showers in the upper regions.

Torrential monsoon rains and severe floods have wreaked havoc across northern India, severely impacting regions in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Uttarakhand.

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Over the past few weeks, relentless downpour has triggered landslides, flash floods, and widespread waterlogging, claiming numerous lives, displacing thousands, and causing extensive damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods.