Kokernag (Anantnag), May 02: Heavy rains on Tuesday triggered flashfloods in the Kokernag area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, affecting the famous Mughal Garden and Trout Fish Farming Project here, officials said.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kokernag Sarib Sahran told Rising Kashmir that sudden heavy rains caused small flashfloods in the Kokernag garden, but the situation is under control.
“Perhaps the overflow of the stream passing through the garden was caused by heavy rainfall in the far-flung areas of Kokernag and the nearby garden. We ensured all visitors are evacuated immediately and the garden was closed,” he said, adding that no loss of life or injuries was reported.
Chief Project Officer (CPO), Fish Farming Project, Kokernag, Makhdoom Mohiddin, said the water is dirty at the moment and that they are examining the damage.
Director Fisheries Mohammad Farooq Dar also paid a visit to the Kokernag fish farm to assess the situation. The Fisheries Department immediately dispatched a crew to mitigate the damage, he said.
An official said the water was diverted promptly and the damage was minimised. “The little damage to raceways due to overflow and spillover, but the extent of damage appears very minimal as the efforts were taken immediately,” he said, adding that the actual damage may be determined after an extensive assessment.
Meanwhile, an advisory has been issued due to heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of the sub-division Kokernag. “In view of the sudden and heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of Kokernag, which is expected to continue till evening of 2nd May 2023 as per MET reports, the people living in the Kokernag area and downstream which are fed from the catchment areas of the above mentioned heavy rainfall zone are advised to stay away from streams and other water bodies and also take all requisite precautions for the next 12 to 24 hours,” reads an official order.
