Jhelum breach submerges parts of Kashmir Valley, thousands forced to evacuate
Srinagar: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a sudden breach in the Jhelum embankment late Thursday night unleashed floodwaters across several parts of the Kashmir Valley, submerging homes, inundating streets, and forcing thousands to evacuate.
According to Kashmir Media Service, residents of areas like Zainpora in Pampore and the outskirts of Srinagar, including Taigan and Shalina, watched helplessly as waters entered their homes
“We built this house brick by brick over many years. In just one night, it was inundated before us,” said Ghulam Hassan, pointing to the water-filled courtyard of his two-storey home. Eyewitnesses recalled hearing “three loud bangs” before water rushed in like a monster, flooding alleys, fields, and residential areas. Families ran barefoot into the darkness, carrying children and elderly relatives, while others climbed rooftops and upper stories to escape the rising waters.
Local residents criticized the occupation authorities for their absence during the crisis. “Despite making tall claims of providing aid and relief, the administration was nowhere to be seen when we needed them the most,” said a resident of Pampore. The indifference of the authorities left families to fend for themselves. Several questioned the priorities of the administration, noting that promises of “flood preparedness” appeared to be mere rhetoric.
The disaster brought back haunting memories of the 2014 floods. “Back then we thought it was once in a lifetime. But this… this feels worse,” said Abdul Majid, a farmer. “In 2014 we lost crops. This time we saw our homes drown.”
Reportedly, heavy rainfall had caused river levels to rise across IIOJK, culminating in the breach. While water levels have begun receding in some areas, flood threats persist in Pampore and Ram Munshi Bagh. Other areas, including Asham and Wullar, have shown improvement, though many tributaries remain above safe levels.
In addition to the floods, a series of landslides has wreaked havoc across the occupied territory. In Kishtwar, a landslide at the Ratle power project site trapped five people, who were later rescued. The Jammu-Katra shuttle train was out of service for a second consecutive day due to flood-related damage. Furthermore, a 200-meter stretch of the Srinagar-Jammu Highway was damaged by a major landslide in Udhampur, adding to the difficulties faced by commuters.
