The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday declared a flood situation in Kashmir Valley as Jhelum river crossed the danger mark in Srinagar following incessant rains.

All schools in the Valley have been closed for two days after heavy rains inundated large areas.

“The government today decided to shut all schools up to class 12 for today and tomorrow in the wake of flood alert,” Director Education, Kashmir, Showkat Beigh, said.

Mr Beigh said the government had first announced closure of schools up to class eight only, but the decision to extend it to high and higher secondary schools was taken this morning after assessing the situation.

He said all Board of School Examinations scheduled for Monday and Tuesday have also been postponed.

Meanwhile, University of Kashmir has also postponed its annual examinations for two days.

Rescue teams dispatched

Two NDRF teams comprising 100 personnel have been rushed as part of contingency measures in Jammu and Kashmir, where Jhelum river on Monday crossed the danger level in Srinagar and Sangam area of South Kashmir following heavy rains.

The two National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams, comprising about 50 personnel each, were taken in an IAF plane from Bhatinda in Punjab to Srinagar.

“We have pre-positioned two of our teams in the Kashmir Valley in order to combat any situation in the wake of flood alert.

“Four other teams at Ghaziabad and Bhatinda will be on standby,” NDRF Director General O P Singh told PTI here.

The DG said there was no need to panic and the force along with the state government is putting in all measures to tackle a possible flood situation.

“There is no flooding as of now. There is some water logging in areas of Kashmir Valley. It is good news that there have been no rains for a couple of hours now in the state,” he said.

All schools in the valley have been closed for two days after heavy rains inundated large areas.
(PTI)