Crumbling Jhelum embankment in Shivpora worries inhabitants
Demand construction of gabion, concrete walls to prevent breaches
With the fresh spell of incessant rains posing risk to repaired embankment along river Jhelum in Shivpora locality here, worried inhabitants have decried inordinate delay by authorities to strengthen flood defense mechanism in the deluge prone area.
Shivpora and its adjoining areas had bore the brunt of floods in September last year. Jhelum waters had breached embankment in Shivpora at several places submerging it and many areas of the city.
“Despite passing over seven months since floods devastated our houses and belongings, concerned authorities have failed to strengthen the embankment so that it can withstand floods,” said a group of aggrieved inhabitants.
They said the embankment was repaired by using soil. “The repaired embankment has started to wash off due to incessant rains. A large stretch of repaired embankment from Dharbagh Shivpora to Batwara has crumbled and developed cracks at several places. It will take years for the embankment to settle. Authorities have put our lives and property at stake by inordinate delay in permanently strengthening the embankment,” they said.
They said during recent spell of incessant rains earlier this year, the embankment crumbled at several places. “As water level in Jhelum crossed danger mark, the repaired areas of embankment started to crumble. Looming flood threat to our area was averted as water level in Jhelum decreased instantly with improvement in weather. However, in summers when snow will start to melt off and cause high water levels in Jhelum, there is high risk to embankment here,” they said.
“We demand construction of gabion and concrete wall to strengthen flood defense mechanism in our area. If authorities resort to dilly dallying tactics we will be force to take to streets,” they said.
They also demanded removal of left over soil mounds near repaired embankments saying this hampers their smooth movement.
Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control department Javid Jaffar said gabion walls have been constructed at vulnerable and repaired spots in Shivpora and its adjoining areas.
“People of these areas need not to panic. The repaired embankments withstood high water levels in Jhelum earlier this month and there was not a single breach reported. Our engineers are constantly monitoring the embankments and have been instantly undertaking necessary repairs and reinforcements wherever required,” Jaffar said.
