KV Network

Too little, too late

Too little, too late
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Since the September 2014 deluge the people in Kashmir Valley have been living on the edge. Every time there is a prediction of a prolonged wet spell the people start worrying about the floods as the water level in major water bodies starts to rise considerably owing to the slightest of downpour.
This fact proved right once again during this week when the Valley witnessed an extended period of rains during the early part of the week. Not only did the water level touch the danger mark at Sangam in south Kashmir but the other major stations too showed the water level touching alarming levels.
The situation in all the feeding channels and rivulets that end up merging with the Jhelum too was quite explosive as all these rivulets and Nallah’s were running near to the danger mark.
The way water level rises in all major rivers here in the valley, experts have suggested that even during the present year massive floods can sweep through the most parts of the Valley and wash away whatever has been restored after the 2014 deluge.
The rising water level in Jhelum and even in the Dal Lake has been a cause of concern from the past three years. The reasons for this emerging phenomenon have not even been probed by the flood control and irrigation division of the state. This seems quite bizarre as the issue should have been a topmost priority for the government and the concerned department as well.
The issue of flood threat becoming an order of the day is proving taxing for a common man. This seems obvious as the floods that were witnessed in 2014 left a deep scar on the psyche of the common man as he lost all his lifetime savings to the deluge.
However, what seems ironic is the lack of initiative from the Government over such important issue. The flood threats since 2014 have been an indication that all is not well with the flood management system in the state, especially Kashmir Valley.
However, despite this alarming situation no major plans have been worked out to ease out the situation. Mere approving ‘comprehensive Plan for Flood Management Works on Jhelum’ cannot be an excuse to run away from the reality.
There has to be an active plan ready for execution in case the water levels touch critical levels. This was even suggested by the High Level Committee, constituted by GoI after the September 2014 deluge.
The committee suggested a multipronged strategy to be adopted for flood mitigation in Kashmir valley. Accordingly, to enhance carrying capacity of Jhelum from the then 31000 cusec to 60000 cusecs, action was envisaged in two phases under PMDP.
Though the project is proposed to be implemented part-wise with part-A amounting to Rs 1684.60 Crore approved under PMDP and part-B for which source of funding is to be identified.
The project has been formulated to achieve short term goal of mitigating the flood threat at Sangam. Under long term measures for mitigating flood discharge of 115000 Cusecs at Sangam, the Government with ADB funding has started the “Jehlum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project’ (JTFRP) being executed by ERA.
ERA with the help of international experts is conducting detailed morphological study of River Jehlum and based on the findings of the study shall prepare DPR for taking up long term measures. But all this is planned at a snail’s pace and this will serve least purpose as the flood management in Valley needs a fast and time saving effort.


KV Network

Kashmir Vision cover all daily updates for the newspaper

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