The looming flood threat in Jammu and Kashmir after incessant rains since Wednesday morning is likely to ease by Thursday evening, the Met office said.
The state government issued a flood warning after the Jhelum river crossed the danger mark at various places, inundating low-lying areas of South and Central Kashmir and reminiscent of the 2014 floods, sending people living on the banks of the river into panic.
"Weather has started to improve and we are expecting no more rains for next two to three days", Sonam Lotus, director of local Met office told IANS, adding "The severe weather conditions have started to weaken and there is no need to panic".
"As of now. I see the flood threat is over as precipitation has decreased. Weather is likely to improve by tomorrow morning."
Meanwhile, Jhelum was flowing above the danger mark at Sangam in Anantnag district at 27.10 feet at 10:30 a.m. and level at Ram Munshi bagh in Srinagar city was 20.30 feet, which is also above the danger mark.
In south Kashmir, road leading to the tourist resort of Pahalgam from Bijbehara town was blocked by angry protesters at Katsoo demanding immediate attention of administration in inundated areas.
Vessu Nallah in Kulgam district breached its banks in the morning today and damaged some bridges, road diversions and paddy crops in many areas.
"Fifty families have been evacuated from Kulgam's low lying areas and shifted to railway station Anantnag," an official of provincial administration told IANS.
The 300 km long strategic Srinagar-Jammu highway was submerged at Charsoo Awantipora village in Pulwama district of the valley.
The state government has pressed its machinery and asked flood department to be ready to meet any eventuality.
