Top official misleads people, media

The J&K government doesn’t seem to have learnt a lesson from last year’s devastating floods as its role and approach in managing situations arising out of incessant rains only triggers confusion, chaos and panic.

This is reflective from the statement of the Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Javid Zaffar who Wednesday evening told people that there was no flood threat while confirming the same few hours later, triggering panic.

The Chief Engineer not only misled people but media as well.

This correspondent is witness to his statement on September 6, 2014. When asked about the flood threat in Srinagar, he said “there is no chance of floods.”However his office that evening declared floods in the Valley.

On Wednesday, he told this newspaper that “so far there is no flood threat.” But at 10.30 pm, Jaffar issued a press release declaring flood alert when entire Kashmir was offering ‘Taraveeh’ prayers in Masjids.

‘SOP violated’

The Government Thursday brazenly violated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Flood Management by not ordering closure of educational institutions even after river Jhelum crossed the Red Alert level.

As per the SOP, whenever the Red Alert is declared, all educational institutions need to be compulsorily closed as a matter of precaution.

Jhelum crossed Red Alert level in Sangam around 12.10 pm while Ram MunshiBagh at 6.00 am. However, in violation of the SOP, all educational institutions were open in the summer capital on Thursday. As water level in Jhelum rose up at a fast pace, Government around 11:30 am ordered closure of the schools situated on the river banks.

“The classes were in session when the authorities ordered closure of schools. The belated response created panic among the students and parents. Government must fix accountability and take action against the concerned officers who shy away from pressing the panic button at the right time,” said senior official, wishing anonymity.