Tauseef Ahmad
Bandipora, July 25: After days of continuous rainfall across Kashmir, the water level in Wular Lake has risen close to the flood mark, triggering fears of flooding in several low-lying villages along its banks. As the lake continues to swell with every passing hour, residents say they are preparing for the possibility of evacuation if the water level rises further.
Earlier, district administration has issued an advisory asking people living in vulnerable areas to remain cautious, avoid movement through inundated roads and contact emergency helplines in case of any crisis. Officials said the situation is being monitored round the clock as more rainfall has been forecast.
The worst-affected villages include Zurimanz, Kulhama, Lankreshipora, Banyari and several other settlements surrounding Wular Lake, where floodwater has entered roads, agricultural land and low-lying areas.
In Zurimanz village, the road connecting the village from both sides has been submerged, leaving residents with limited access. The famous Gazebo Point, a popular tourist spot on the banks of Wular Lake, has also gone under water as the lake continues to expand.
“We have never seen the water rising this fast in recent years. Both roads leading to our village are submerged, and even the Gazebo Point is completely under water. The water has now reached close to our homes, and if the rains continue, we may have no option but to leave our houses,” said Ghulam Mohammad, a resident of Zurimanz.
Another resident, Manzoor Ahmad, said the lake level has been increasing continuously since Friday night.
“Every hour the water is moving closer to residential areas. We are worried about our families because there is no sign of the rain stopping. If the water rises further, we will have to shift to safer places,” he said.
In Kulhama village, floodwater has submerged parts of the main link road used by dozens of families, disrupting daily movement and creating fears of complete isolation.
“The road has disappeared under water, making it difficult for us to move even in emergencies. We are also worried about our paddy fields, which are now flooded. If the rains continue for another day or two, the damage will be enormous,” said Abdul Rashid, a farmer.
Another local, Fareeda Begum, said villagers were spending sleepless nights as the water level continued to rise.
“We are keeping a close watch on the lake throughout the day. Children and elderly people are frightened because the water is inching closer to our homes. We hope the administration remains prepared if evacuation becomes necessary,” she said.
Besides disrupting connectivity, the rising water has inundated large stretches of paddy fields, raising fears of heavy losses for farmers who had expected a good harvest this season.
District officials urged people not to venture into flooded areas and assured that rescue teams and emergency services have been kept on alert. They said control rooms and helpline numbers have been activated to respond swiftly if the situation worsens.
