Srinagar: Despite the central government announcement of Rs 2000 crore on flood management plans for Jhelum a few hour of rain in the city brings horrible memories of the floods of 2014 that killed many and destroyed assets worth thousands of crores of rupees.
Almost Rs 400 crore had been sanctioned in phase one of the flood management plan of the Jhelum and its tributaries. However, a few hours of rain triggers panic among the city dwellers and reminds them of the 2014 floods that took a heavy toll in terms of men and material.
Spending some money on beautification of embankments has not mitigated our fears said Sajjad Ahmad, a resident of the Abi Guzar area of the city. Expressing his concern over the execution of the flood mitigation project, he said the deposition of heavy amounts of silt has rendered the river to a level of vulnerability.
Dredging of the river and its flood spill channels on a scientific basis can enhance the carrying capacity of the river and mitigate the danger of floods, suggested Altaf Hussain, a former hydraulic engineer.
He said Wular, which is the ultimate retainer of the drainage of the entire Kashmir Valley, too has been filed with the silt. It also needs immediate dredging to retain the flood waters and save the Valley.
In respect of dredging and de-siltation, a tender had been floated by Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Kashmir in October 2022. But after five months, the tender was canceled. More than one year has passed and retendering is yet to be carried out, said, an activist privy to the matter.
The activist urged the L G administration to look into the matter and execute the flood management plan of Jhelum in accordance with the suggestions of some credible environmental consultative committees.
