Flood Alarm Sounded in J&K’s Kathua as Ujh River Crosses Evacuation Level
Kathua, KNT: Flood alarm was sounded in Kathua district on Tuesday after the Ujh River at Panjtirthi in Billawar crossed the evacuation level, prompting authorities to advise residents living along the riverbanks to immediately move to safer locations.
According to the latest flood monitoring data, the river was flowing at 24.0 feet at 3:00 pm, exceeding the evacuation level of 23.5 feet. The alert level stands at 16.5 feet, while the danger level is 20 feet. Officials said the water level was continuing to rise.
In view of the escalating situation, the district administration appealed to people residing in low-lying and flood-prone areas to cooperate with evacuation efforts and avoid venturing near the river.
Emergency response agencies have been placed on high alert, with rescue teams and disaster management personnel positioned to respond to any flood-related emergency. Authorities are maintaining continuous surveillance of the river and other vulnerable locations across the district.
The flood scare follows torrential rainfall that has battered Kathua over the past 24 hours, causing widespread flooding, overflowing streams and damage to roads and public infrastructure. Earlier, the Old Samba–Kathua Road at Sahar Khad near Sherpur was breached after floodwaters inundated the area, while several seasonal nallahs witnessed a sharp rise in water levels.
The administration has urged the public to stay away from rivers, nallahs and submerged roads, remain alert and strictly follow official advisories until the situation normalizes. [KNT]
