Srinagar: As the heavy rains continued to lash many parts of the state, the Jammu and Kashmir government, in a precautionary measure, on Thursday announced state-wide holiday in schools and colleges.
The incessant rains in the state from the past 24 hours forced the state government today morning to issue a flood alert.
"Flood alert has been sounded in Srinagar city and all emergency services have been pressed into service to meet the eventuality of a flood," Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah said.
Oficials here said that Jhelum river is flowing 4 feet above danger mark.
Several parts of the state, especially Srinagar, North Kashmir and South Kashmir, were experiencing incessant rains for the last two days disrupting normal life.
As per the latest report, flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain has claimed 13 lives.
Meanwhile, the MeT department has predicted very heavy rain for the next 72 hours.
An official of the Weather office said Qazigund in south Kashmir received 156.7 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours up to 8.30 AM today.
Srinagar recorded 52 mm rainfall in the corresponding period while Kupwara in north Kashmir received 119.4 mm rainfall.
The torrential rains also caused landslides on the Srinagar-Jammu and Srinagar-Leh highways.
The concerned authorities with the help of Army evacuated hundreds of people in south Kashmir's Kulgam district. Water in the Vaishav canal has marooned nearby villages.
The 35 per cent population in the region is facing flood threat, an official said, adding all the rescued persons were shifted to several government school buildings and others.
