Incessant rains render Jhelum embankments weak
Experts for immediate measures to prevent ‘imminent disaster’
Incessant rains in Kashmir for the past several days have rendered weak the newly-constructed embankments of river Jhelum which were severely damaged in the floods that hit the Valley in September last year.
Major stretches of embankments of Jhelum from south to north Kashmir were severely damaged in devastating floods in September last year. At many places, the Irrigation and Flood Control department had to deliberately breach the embankments to drain out accumulated waters from various low-lying areas.
Though the department undertook repairs of the embankments, the incessant rains have rendered these weak. “There is strong probability that the newly constructed embankments made of soil can erode and crumble due to incessant rains,” said environmentalist Aijaz Rasool.
Elaborating, he said, it takes long for newly constructed embankments to settle. “The problem has been compounded as strengthening of these embankments is yet to be done and the incessant rains have rendered them weak,” he said.
At Kursoo Raj Bagh area of Srinagar, a large stretch of embankment crumbled on Wednesday following incessant rains. This triggered fear among inhabitants living in its adjoining areas which bore the brunt of floods last year.
“Due to incessant rains, newly-constructed embankments here have started to wash off. In case water level increases in Jhelum, our area will again be flooded,” said a group of residents of Shivpora.
A large stretch of embankment along Shivpora and Batwara crumbled after floods waters breached it on September 7 last year. Originating from Verinag, Jhelum spans over 175 sq kms from south to north Kashmir. Jhelum is joined by four streams, Sundran, Brang, Arapath and Lidder in Islamabad (Anantnag) district. Besides, small streams like Veshara and Rambiara also feed the river with fresh waters. The river settles in Wullar lake before flowing to Pakistan administered Kashmir through Baramulla district.
Jhelum which passes through Srinagar has a capacity of 35,000 cusecs and the flood spill channel of the river has a capacity of between 12,000 and 15,000 cusecs. On September 7, nearly one lakh cusecs of water entered Srinagar city. Jhelum crossed record 23-feet at Ram Munshi Bagh gauge here submerging localities on both sides of the river including city’s commercial hub Lal Chowk and its adjoining areas. The Jhelum waters for the first time breached embankments and entered the Dal Lake raising its level from nine feet to 21 feet. This severely affected flora and fauna of the eco-fragile water body.
“Floods have decreased carrying capacity of Jhelum by nearly 50 percent. Sudden meltdown of snow coupled with incessant rains in summers can lead to imminent disaster as these newly laid or weak spots in the embankments cannot withstand force of Jhelum waters,” said Aijaz Rasool, who is also a hydraulic engineer.
A study titled ‘2014 Extreme Floods in Kashmir: Genesis, Magnitude and Correctives’, conducted by Prof. Shakil A Romshoo, Head of the Earth Sciences department at Kashmir University had identified 22 breaches on river Jhelum embankments through which the flood waters entered the summer capital. Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control department Javid Jaffar said efforts are on to strengthen the flood defense mechanism in Kashmir.
“Devastating floods last year damaged embankments at nearly 80 spots from south Kashmir to north Kashmir. Our priority has been to scientifically plug breaches in Jhelum. Incessant rains have damaged embankments at several places and we have kept sandbags ready to meet any eventuality,” he said.
“Presently, there is not much risk as water level in Jhelum is normal, however we have to strengthen these embankments before melting of snow. We plan to construct gabion wall to reinforce the embankments,” Jaffar added.