Flooding was reported in Srinagar and other areas of the Kashmir Valley after a period of heavy rain in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Levels of the Jhelum river and its tributaries, including Veishov, Rambiara and Lidder, increased dramatically. The Jhelum surpassed danger levels at Rammunshibagh near Srinagar on 06 April.
Some low-lying areas of the city were flooded and the army along with National Disaster Rescue Force (NDRF) were called in to assist with evacuations.
Residents feared a repeat of the devastating floods of March and April of 2015 when 44 people died and 12,565 buildings were damaged. However, this time around the flooding was short lived and no fatalities in Srinagar were reported.
Elsewhere in the state, a young girl died when she was swept away by flash floods in Kupwara, according to local media. Other deaths were reported as a result of avalanches and lightning strikes.
In Poonch district, an Indian Air Force helicopter was used to rescue and evacuate 17 people left stranded by the flood water.
The severe weather has reportedly destroyed or damaged wide areas of fruit crops in the valley. Schools were closed in many areas.
On 07 April Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti to offer any and all help from central government to deal with the flood situation in the Kashmir Valley.
Flooding has since eased and levels of rivers started to fall.
Rainfall
Local media report that Kokernag, Anantnag district recorded 80 mm of rain from 05 to 06 April 2017. Banihal in Ramban district recorded 55.6 mm and Bhaderwah, Doda district, 53.4 mm of rain.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reports that Kupwara, Pahalgam and Gulmarg all recorded 50 mm of rain between 04 and 05 April.
Avalanches
While lower areas received heavy rainfall, higher locations around the Kashmir Valley received high levels of snowfall. Northern Command of the Indian Army reported 15 feet of snow overnight, 05 to 06 April, 2017.
An army post in Batalik sector was buried, leaving at least 3 soldiers dead and 3 missing. Two civilians died in an avalanche in Kargil.
Social Media
Civil Vehicle carrying passengers slipped & fell into Breng Nala Anantnag, J&K. Swift action by #IndianArmy saved precious lives. pic.twitter.com/GjvrHYKFaW
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) April 7, 2017
#IndianArmy continues rescue efforts in waterlogged areas of valley #KashmirFloods pic.twitter.com/2ZQIPRbZN6
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) April 7, 2017
Swift response; stranded villagers from some waterlogged areas in Kashmir moved to safe locations. Situation under control @adgpi pic.twitter.com/OV5kAHnJDa
— NorthernComd.IA (@NorthernComd_IA) April 6, 2017
Flood Summary
Locations
B - Kupwara
C - Poonch
Magnitude
Jhelum river, Rammunshibagh near Srinagar - April 7 to April 7, 2017
Danger level is 1586.5 metres
Kokernag - April 5 to April 6, 2017
Banihal - April 5 to April 6, 2017
Bhaderwah - April 5 to April 6, 2017
Kupwara - April 4 to April 5, 2017
Damages
Kupwara - April 4 to April 8, 2017
Other deaths also reported as a result of avalanches and lightning strike.
Estimated figure. The Indian Army reported rescues of 17 people in Poonch district, and several other rescue / evacuations operations in Srinaga and other parts of the stater, although no exact figures were given.
