J&K on high alert as Jhelum river breaches danger mark, Dal Lake and houseboats under threat

J&K floods

Residents and tourists around Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake have been put on high alert after authorities in Jammu and Kashmir issued a flood advisory on Thursday, September 4. The warning comes as the Jhelum river surged past the critical danger mark of 21 feet, raising immediate concerns for those living on houseboats and operating in the floating markets.

According to a National Herald report, the Lakes Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) has indicated that the sluice gate at Ram Munshi Bagh may be opened imminently to alleviate water pressure. This action is expected to cause the level of Dal Lake, currently at 10.5 feet, to rise further, potentially endangering properties and livelihoods. The LCMA has advised residents to secure their belongings, remain vigilant and be prepared to relocate to designated relief centres in Srinagar.

The situation has been exacerbated by relentless rainfall across South Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, which has sustained high water inflows into the river system, sparking fears of widespread flash flooding and urban inundation.

The adverse weather has severed the Kashmir Valley’s road links to the rest of the country. All major highways, including the critical Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, the Mughal Road, Sinthan Road, Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch NH and the Batote-Doda-Kishtwar NH, have been forced to close due to multiple landslides and complete washouts of road sections.

Over 3,500 vehicles are reportedly stranded on various stretches from Kathua to Srinagar. The Ramban–Banihal sector, encompassing areas like Shalgadi and Panthyal, is among the worst affected, with reports of road collapses and landslides entering tunnels. An additional 600 vehicles are trapped on the Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch and Batote-Doda-Kishtwar national highways, National Herald reported.

With restoration efforts underway on a war footing, officials have cautioned that re-establishing road connectivity will be a significant challenge. For the time being, air travel and the rail link to Srinagar remain the Valley's only functional lifelines for both passenger movement and the transport of essential supplies.

The disruption has extended to the education sector, with the divisional commissioner ordering all educational institutions, including schools, colleges, universities and coaching centres, to remain closed for a second consecutive day.

The extreme weather is not confined to Jammu and Kashmir. The India Meteorological Department has issued a ‘red alert’ for several states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Odisha and parts of Punjab, forecasting continued heavy rainfall.