Government sleeps over flood management plans

With J&K government sleeping over flood management in Kashmir, the Valley was Thursday battling with another flood-like situation following incessant rainfall from Wednesday that caused Jhelum river to swell and breach its embankments at some places in south of the Valley.

The river had already swelled above danger levels at Sangam in Anantnag (Islamabad) and Ram Munshi bagh in the summer capital by 3 pm today and it was rising at faster levels in north Kashmir.

While the situation was grim reminder of September-2014 devastating deluge that hit Kashmir, the situation continues to be bleak on the ground as far as flood management was concerned.

“Unfortunately the government hasn’t learnt lessons from last year’s flood. The State Government and the Flood Control Department has restricted their role to issuing flood warning only,” said earth scientist at Kashmir University, Prof ShakilRomshoo.

Kashmir, according to Romshoo, faces high risk of floods this year as Jhelum and its spill channels have lost drainage capacity owing to siltation during last year’s flood and also because the ground water table level was saturated.

A study titled ‘A satellite-based rapid assessment on floods in Jammu & Kashmir–September, 2014’ conducted jointly by Department of Environment and Remote Sensing (DERS) and ISRO recommended immediate de-siltation of lakes, revival of flood basin of Khushalsar, Gilsar, Anchar, Hokharsar, Shalabugh, Haigam, preparing a flood zonation map, construction of an alternate flood channel from Sangam in Islamabad up to Wullar lake in Bandipora and regular dredging of rivers to handle future flood threats.

“The Government is only interested in seeking funds from Centre for dredging and strengthening of Jhelum embankments. Though it is important, there is no plan with Flood Control Department on how to reduce risk of people to floods,” said Romshoo. “The Department and other agencies concerned are least bothered about flood management policy for next 20 to 30 years.”

The State’s failure so far to convince New Delhi to fund flood management programs in Kashmir and slow pace of dredging in Jhelum and its flood spill channel continues to pose flood threat in the Valley.

“After last year’s flood, during the winter, the water level in Jhelum remained at minimal for more than four months but there was no seriousness on part of Flood Control Department to undertake dredging of the water body on war footing. It has become an urgent need as last year flood has resulted in massive siltation of Jhelum and its spill channels,” said noted geoscientist Abdul Majeed Butt.

While Rs 18000-crore long term flood management program submitted by previous State Government to New Delhi for approval hasn’t seen light of day, the Rs 401-crore short term flood management program is too awaiting approval from Government of India.

Under the mega project, the plan was to construct a new flood spill channel of 60000 cusecs from Sangam to Wullar Lake. The Rs 401-crore plan involves dredging of River Jhelum to increase its carrying capacity and land acquisition to widen the existing flood spill channel.

Spanning over 175 kms, Jhelum originates from south Kashmir and after passing through Srinagar it flows into Wullar Lake before entering Pakistan administered Kashmir through Baramulla district.

Its capacity has got reduced to around 30000 cusecs while the flood spill channel can hold only 8000 cusecs today. Under the mega flood project the plan was to increase the capacity of Jhelum and spill channel to 60000 cusecs.

“However failing to present its case in a scientific manner, State has been passing buck on Government of India over delay in approval to flood management programs while escaping responsibility,” said an official. “Unless you (State) convinces the Centre with scientific data and studies why would they invest in any program. The irony is that Government hasn’t been able to present its case despite state witnessing a devastating flood last year.”

There are other factors too adding to the flood risk. Mushrooming of illegal residential colonies and Government institutions in flood basins, particularly in Anantnag (Islamabad) and Srinagar City has worsened the situation over the years as Government continued to ignore the situation.

Of the total width of Jhelum, only one-fifth has been left out without encroachments, a report prepared by District administration Anantnag revealed last year.

The entire flood basin from Kandizal to Lasjan has seen growth of illegal residential houses and business complexes and the situation is no different on the entire stretch of Nowgam-Bypass on right side—the area that would only some years back serve as water absorption basin.

Chief Engineer, Flood Control, JavaidJaffar said the Department has been working to strengthen flood defense mechanism. He said the Department was procuring two more dredgers to undertake dredging process in Jhelum and its flood spill channel.

“In the meantime we have also decided to outsource the dredging. We can’t wait for approval to the flood management projects from Centre,” he said.