Bandipora, Sep 05: As water levels in the Jhelum and other major tributaries have begun to recede, the levels in Wular Lake in north Kashmir’s Bandipora are continuously rising, with officials saying the increase will remain “gradual.”
The low-lying villages around Wular, predominantly home to fishing communities, have so far largely remained unaffected, though apprehensions of water spilling over persist.
On Thursday night, the administration persuaded some families near Kulhama village on the Jhelum and Wular banks to move to safety.
“We have appointed nodal officers for the flood situation. The conditions seem under control, although there were apprehensions in Kulhama village and a few families were requested to move,” Tehsildar Bandipora Firdous Ahmad Qadri told Greater Kashmir.
“The water levels have increased, a few families were shifted, but the situation seems normal as there is no such panic in the community,” local resident Muzaffar Ahmad told Greater Kashmir. He added that adjoining villagers are also maintaining vigil, “but daily work routine hasn’t been impacted.”
Meanwhile, Executive Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Bandipora, Mutayib Bashir Shah, told Greater Kashmir they expect water levels in Wular to rise gradually.
“The department, with continuous support from district administration, took all pre-emptive measures up to midnight yesterday to avert any eventuality due to the prevailing flood state of the Jhelum and other water bodies,” he said.
“As of now the water has started to recede. People need not panic, as we maintain our guard of the embankments until we reach safer levels,” the officer added.
He further said, “But we expect the water level to increase in Wular Lake and the areas near its periphery. The rise shall be very gradual.”
Muzaffar, the local resident, also agreed with the officer, saying people living in these areas are “very well versed with such situations, as these habitations are inside Wular Lake when seen as a flood basin.”
“Since the rise is gradual, people also act accordingly by managing their belongings in time,” he said.
Despite this, the administration has already designated local nodal officers for any assistance.
