Kashmir floods LIVE: Many feared dead as houses collapse in Budgam, 100 NDRF personnel rushed in

Many are feared dead in Laden village in central Kashmir’s Budgam district after three houses collapsed following a landslide triggered by incessant rains in the state. Officials said around 60 villagers are trapped in three houses and efforts are on to rescue them.

The Jammu and Kashmir government had declared floods in parts of Kashmir valley as the water levels in the Jhelum river rose steeply overnight. The government advised people living near the banks of the Jehlum and in low-lying areas of the valley to shift to safer places.

The flood alert was sounded at 5.30 am on Monday. The officials said that at 6 am the water level at Sangam in south Kashmir was recorded at 22.30 feet, which is 1.3 feet above the flood level and 0.7 below the danger mark. At Ram Munshibagh in Srinagar, the water level was recorded at 18.55 feet which is slightly higher than the flood alert level.

On the landslide, DIG Kashmir Ghulam Hassan Bhat said: “It is a very far-off village up in the forests. It is a two-and-a-half hour trek from the last motorable road-end. The Station House Officer is on his way there.’’ The DIG said it is difficult to remove debris as more slush is continuously flowing down from the mountains. “We are yet to recover any body.’’

Meanwhile, J&K government has sent a formal request to the Army for help. The Army has constituted teams that will help the civil administration in relief and rescue operations. “We have kept boats and buses ready for any evacuation from the low-lying areas,’’ Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Farooq Lone said. “Two NDRF teams are also arriving in Srinagar within the next few hours and boats have also been kept on the disposal of various police stations.’’