Flood alert in J-K as Jhelum water level crosses danger mark

 A flood alert has reportedly been sounded in Jammu and Kashmir following the increase in water level in the Jhelum river at two places in south and central Kashmir. 

Four members of a family are feared dead in a cloudburst in Pahalgam in south Kashmir's Anantnag district.

While the bodies of two children have been retrieved, police rescue teams are searching for the mother and another child who have gone missing.

As per reports, around 15 families who were trapped in the flood waters in Laisoo-Guddar village of Dumhal Hanjipora area of Kulgam district are believed to be safe.

Authorities have also issued a safety advisory to the people residing along the river's embankment and low lying areas.

As per reports, the water level in Jhelum at Sangam in South Kashmir was recorded 22.5 feet this morning, which is flood declaration level.

The water level at Ram Munshi Bagh gauge in Central Kashmir was recorded 18.3 ft.

The situation is under control as of now and the water level, which increased following incessant rainfall, is likely to recede when the weather improves. (ANI)

Amarnath yatra suspended due to bad weather

Jammu, July 13 

 The annual Hindu pilgrimage Amarnath Yatra remained suspended for the second day on Monday as no pilgrim was allowed to proceed towards Kashmir Valley due to bad weather, police said.

"No yatri was allowed to move towards the valley today from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas because of bad weather and closure of the Jammu-Srinagar national highway", a senior police officer told IANS in Jammu on Monday.

Landslides triggered by heavy rains have blocked the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only surface link to the valley, at some places in Ramban district of Jammu region.

Meanwhile, authorities said in Srinagar that no pilgrim will be allowed to move towards the Amarnath cave shrine from either the north Kashmir Baltal or the south Kashmir Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camps on Monday.

"Heavy rains are lashing the mountainous track on both sides. The situation will be reviewed only after the weather improves. No yatri is stranded anywhere along the track and all are lodged at safe places inside the two base camps and the transit camps," said an official of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) that manages the affairs of the Hindu pilgrimage to the Himalayan cave shrine.