Families take shelter in relatives’ houses, on roads after embankment collapses near Zonipora
Srinagar: Panic and destruction have engulfed the Taingan area of Budgam district in central Kashmir following a breach in the river Jhelum embankment near Zonipora village, resulting in significant flooding. This incident forced families to evacuate their homes, seeking refuge along the road and in the homes of relatives.
Local residents said that floodwaters rapidly inundated residential areas, submerging houses, cowsheds, and standing crops, leaving families with little time to salvage their belongings. Displaced families have taken shelter on higher ground along the Srinagar-Budgam highway, where women and children are seen huddled under makeshift tents, facing uncertainty and discomfort. Many locals expressed feelings of déjà vu, recalling similar experiences from the devastating floods of 2014. They voiced frustration over the lack of action from authorities, stating that their repeated warnings to reinforce the embankment had been ignored, making the area particularly vulnerable during heavy rains. Officials have announced that efforts are underway to repair the breach and assess the damage, with plans to begin work on the embankment in the coming days. Meanwhile, residents remain anxious as they watch floodwaters consume their homes, hoping for prompt relief and rehabilitation measures.
