Srinagar, July 13 (IANS): A flood alert was sounded in Kashmir and low lying areas in Srinagar on Monday as incessant rainfall led to the swelling of the Jhelum river.

The water level in Jhelum river was 19.10 feet at 10 a.m. on Monday which is above the danger mark, officials of the local flood control department said.

The officials also said the water level at Sangam in Anantnag district was 22.30 feet which is still below the danger mark.

Javaid Jaffar, chief engineer of flood control department told reporters that the rise in Jhelum river has been caused by cloudbursts in the catchment areas of Lidder stream, a major tributary of the river in south Kashmir areas, adding that arrangements are in place to meet any emergency.

The local weather office said that southwest monsoon is presently vigorous over Jammu and Kashmir due to which heavy rains have been lashing most areas in the Jammu region as moderate rainfall occurred in the Kashmir Valley.

"Wet weather is expected to continue in Jammu and Kashmir during the next three days though the intensity of precipitation is likely to decrease today (Monday) onwards," the weather office said.