Experts predict more floods

Concerned over the prevailing flood scare in Kashmir, experts on Monday said more such situations could arise in the valley in near future.
Head of Department of Earth Sciences, University of Kashmir, Prof Shakil A Romshoo said due to very high groundwater levels in the valley attributed to last year’s extreme flooding, there would be a similar looming threat of floods in Kashmir in upcoming months.
“Last year’s floods followed by the wet month of March have raised the groundwater levels in the valley due to which the surface is not able to saturate the fresh water. Two to three days of rainfall can easily lead to a flood situation,” Ramshoo said.
Ramshoo said there was very high possibility that low magnitude floods would continue to occur in the valley for next six months.
“At present the water level on ground is only one feet below. It requires a lot of time for water to get absorbed in the soil. We may have to face a low magnitude flood this week or soon after inundating the traditional Jhelum floodplains including those in the Srinagar city,” he said.
Ramshoo said if lucky this week, the probability of such a flood shall increase with every passing day till September this year.
“I am afraid that the incessant rains together with the failure of the dilapidated flood control infrastructure might exacerbate the flood scenario in Kashmir valley,” Ramshoo said.
He said the valley has no infrastructure in place to avert such floods in future.
“There must be a robust action plan to prevent such floods in future. At present we are not prepared if such situation would occur in future. We can’t afford to be complacent about the looming threat of flood in Kashmir,” said Ramshoo.
Ramshoo said after September floods there have been no preventive measures taken by the administration to tackle the flood-like situation in the state.
“There has been no long-term plan drafted by the government till date. They (politicians) were all busy with elections and government formations while no emphasis was given on this subject,” said Ramshoo.
A noted environmentalist Dr Abdul Majeed Kak said the shrinking of water bodies in Kashmir was the main reason that has led to floods.
“Our rivers, lakes, water canals have considerably reduced in size over the years. So in such conditions any fresh water is not able to find its space in these water bodies which cause floods,” said Kak.
He said unless there would not be a proper dredging such floods would continue to haunt the valley.
“Due to the climate change we will see more and more rains. So we have to make advance adjustments to face such harsh weather,” said Kak.
He said government has failed to put in place a conservation plan for restoration of water bodies in valley that has eventually hit back.
“You cannot play with nature for long; sooner or later it hits back and the consequences are in front of us,” said Kak.