Why Should People Avoid Listening to Rumours About the Flood Situation? J&K CM Omar Addresses Concerns

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Flood situation serious but manageable.
- Evacuation programs initiated in vulnerable areas.
- Essential supplies remain available.
- Public urged to avoid panic buying.
- Weather forecast suggests improvement.
Srinagar, Sep 3 (NationPress) Even as the government has initiated a precautionary evacuation plan for residents in the flood-prone areas of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama, and Srinagar districts, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, has sought to dispel false information by stating that while the flood situation is serious, it is not as dire as some are claiming. He reassured those living in vulnerable zones on Wednesday evening that the gates of Dal Lake remain closed, and the Kandizaal bund has not been compromised.
“The gates of Dal have not been opened, and although the Jhelum is rising, it is doing so at a significantly slower pace than anticipated. The administration is maintaining vigilance and closely monitoring the situation, but we urge everyone not to fall for the unfounded rumours circulating,” he stated.
Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, Anshul Garg, informed reporters that the water levels of the Jhelum at Sangam in Anantnag and Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar are still on the rise, although the rain has ceased.
The administration has begun the preventive evacuation of residents from at-risk villages in Kulgam, Anantnag, Pulwama, and Srinagar. The commissioner encouraged those living in flood-prone areas to evacuate to the government-established relief centres, which number over 300 throughout the Kashmir Valley and are equipped with blankets, food supplies, electricity, and potable water.
He further advised those wishing to move to safer locations with family to do so promptly. The commissioner reassured the public that essential supplies, including LPG, are adequately available, and urged against panic buying.
He noted that health services, electricity, and mobile connectivity have been fully restored across the Kashmir Valley.
Meanwhile, water has inundated many low-lying regions of Srinagar as residents opted to relocate to safer areas this evening.
According to the Met Department, an improvement in the overall weather conditions is expected from tomorrow, with hopes that the water levels in the Jhelum will begin to decline by the afternoon, assuming no further rainfall occurs in the river’s catchment.