Blocked flow of Chaka Nadi raises flood fears in Anantnag’s Sarnal area
Anantnag: The residents of Mehjoor Colony in Sarnal area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag have raised serious concerns over alleged encroachments along the Chaka Nadi, urging authorities to take immediate steps to restore proper drainage and prevent worsening waterlogging.
According to locals, the gradual narrowing of the nallah due to unauthorized constructions and debris dumping has severely affected the natural flow of water, leading to frequent accumulation in nearby residential areas.
They said the issue becomes particularly alarming during rainfall, when even moderate showers result in inundated lanes and water entering courtyards.
“Whenever it rains, the entire locality gets submerged. We are left struggling to step out of our homes, and children and elderly people suffer the most,” said a resident, adding that the stagnant water also poses health risks.
Residents alleged that despite submitting multiple representations to the concerned departments, including the Flood Control authorities, their grievances have largely gone unaddressed.
“We have knocked on every door, but no concrete action has been taken so far. It feels like our concerns are being ignored,” another local said.
Many in the area pointed out that poor drainage, compounded by encroachments along the Chaka Nadi, has disrupted daily life. Commuters face difficulty navigating waterlogged streets, while shopkeepers report losses due to reduced footfall during rainy spells.
“We fear the situation will spiral out of control during the peak rainy season. If timely action is not taken, it could lead to serious flooding and damage to property,” said another resident.
The locals have appealed to the Executive Engineer of the Flood Control Department to depute a team for on-site inspection and take immediate corrective measures, including removal of encroachments and restoration of the nallah’s original course.
They emphasized that proactive intervention at this stage could prevent a larger crisis, urging authorities to act swiftly in the interest of public safety and convenience.
