Srinagar: As torrential rains continued to lash the Kashmir Valley over the past few days, the Jhelum River surged to alarming levels in Srinagar, reviving haunting memories of the catastrophic floods of September 2014. The rising water levels triggered panic among residents, many of whom still carry the trauma of that dark chapter when homes, hospitals, and entire localities were submerged under water.
Localities along the banks of Jhelum, including Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, and Bemina, witnessed waterlogging and overflow in several low-lying zones, prompting authorities to sound an alert. Although the river has not breached critical levels yet, residents and officials remain on high alert as intermittent showers continue.
“We are scared. This is exactly how it started in 2014. First the rainfall, then the warnings and then water was everywhere,” said Abdul Rashid, a resident of Jawahar Nagar who lost his home in the 2014 disaster.
Officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department confirmed that the Jhelum touched the danger mark at Ram Munshi Bagh on Thursday evening but began to stabilize after rainfall intensity reduced temporarily. However, with more rain forecast in the coming days, the threat remains far from over.
Rescue teams, including SDRF and civil administration personnel, have been deployed in sensitive zones, and sandbags are being placed along vulnerable embankments. Boats and emergency equipment have also been kept on standby.
In a high-level review meeting on Friday, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir urged departments to stay alert and respond swiftly to any crisis. “All concerned agencies have been instructed to be proactive. Our priority is to avoid any loss of life or property,” he said.
The 2014 floods, triggered by record-breaking rainfall, had left nearly 300 people dead and thousands homeless. The economic losses were estimated at over Rs 1 trillion. Since then, the administration has made efforts to upgrade flood channels, dredge Jhelum, and install monitoring systems but locals say not enough has changed on the ground.
“Ten years later, we are still vulnerable. The encroachments, poor drainage, and unplanned urbanization have only made things worse,” said environmentalist Dr. Sameena Bhat.
While the situation is currently under control, the rising Jhelum remains a stark reminder that nature’s fury, once unleashed, can repeat history unless the lessons of the past are not just remembered, but acted upon.
In recent days, Jammu and Kashmir have experienced relentless monsoon rains, leading to devastating flash floods and landslides, particularly in the Jammu region. These natural disasters have resulted in significant loss of life and property.
On August 26, a massive landslide near the Ardhkuwari area on the pilgrimage route to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district claimed the lives of 34 individuals, primarily pilgrims. In response, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.
A sudden cloudburst in the Doda district led to flash floods, resulting in the deaths of four people and damaging several homes.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed due to landslides, and train services have been suspended in affected areas. Authorities have evacuated over 20,000 individuals from flood-affected zones, setting up relief camps to provide shelter and aid.
