The Jammu and Kashmir government sounded an alert after the water level in the Jhelum river continued to rise due to incessant rains.

A government spokesman said that people living on the banks of the Jhelum have been asked to remain alert and vigilant. Old persons and children have also been advised to move to safer places or camps that have been established in the Valley.

The spokesman quoted a communication from Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, which said, “Water levels of river Jhelum on 29-03-2015 at 2100 hrs at Sangam (South Kashmir) and Ram Munshi Bagh (Srinagar city) have touched 18’.4 feet and 16’.0 feet respectively.”

He said all the employees deployed for flood control have been asked to report to their duties immediately.

If the water level breaches 23-foot mark, the state will have to undertake massive rescue operations and evacuate people from areas adjoining the river.

The people of J&K, still reeling from the effects of the devastating floods last year, are dreading a repeat of the situation. The floods in September 2014 left at least 300 people dead and thousands homeless.

Former J&K CM took to Twitter to request help from the Central Government.

(With PTI inputs)