Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg visits flood-affected areas in Srinagar, Budgam, supervises relief efforts, urges public to stay away of low-lying areas

SRINAGAR: Following breaches in the embankments of the River Jhelum at Zonipora and Shalina in Budgam, which led to flooding in several low-lying areas of Srinagar and Budgam districts, Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Anshul Garg, visited the affected regions to oversee relief and rescue operations. Accompanied by IGP Kashmir and the Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar & Budgam, Div Com visited Lasjan and Nowgam to assess the situation and ensure that coordinated efforts were underway to safeguard residents.

Speaking on the occasion, Div Com said, “Early this morning, breaches occurred in the Jhelum embankments at Zonipora in Budgam, resulting in flooding of nearby areas. However, as a precautionary measure, we had already evacuated around 9,000 people last night, which helped in preventing any loss of life.” He further added that the weather conditions have started to improve, especially in South Kashmir, and most areas are currently experiencing clear skies.

“Water levels at Sangam and Ram Munshi Bagh are receding, which is a positive sign,” he stated. He added that relief and rescue teams including personnel from the SDRF, NDRF, police, and revenue departments are actively engaged in operations in affected low-lying areas, ensuring timely assistance to residents. “To ensure proper coordination and effective on-ground response, senior officials of divisional administration & district administrations are present on the spots,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of public cooperation, Div Com appreciated the support from the people and said that continuous announcements are being made to keep the public alert and informed. He also shared updates on evacuation efforts, stating that evacuations have been carried out in six villages of Budgam, while preventive evacuations are underway in Srinagar. He urged people to avoid venturing into low-lying areas as a safety measure.

Later in the day, Div Com along with Deputy Commissioner Budgam visited Shalina to inspect ongoing relief and mitigation efforts, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to supporting all affected residents.