Srinagar, Aug 25: The flood channel at Rambagh here is flowing in reverse with water moving against the natural course.
 This, according to the experts was happening for the first time since the channel was established.
 For decades, since its construction by the Dogra Maharajas, the flood channel going trough the south City had been serving as a flood deterrent as it would share a considerable load of Jhelum.
 But that was in past as this change in course, experts say, has made the City “more flood prone.”
 The canal, officials said with a capacity of around 20,000 cusecs would prevent the Jhelum levels from rising in the summer capital as it carries the water from South to North Kashmir.
 The 42-kilometer long canal, which starts from its link with the Jhelum at Rajbagh, finally discharges into the Wular in North.
 But over the years, the sedimentation of the water body and construction of houses along its banks, experts say, had reduced the water carrying capacity so much so that it now flow reverse.
The Blockades
 Sources in the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said the flood channel had been facing blockade more in the first 10 kilometers of the course, particularly in Bemina and adjoining Sharifabad areas.
 “The construction of a bridge at Sharifabad proved a major hurdle in the flow of canal,” sources said.
 They added constructions had come up at many places along the banks of canal thereby furthering the blockade. Sources said the water carrying capacity of the canal had shrunk by 75 per cent.
 “Presently it can carry mere 5000 cusecs of water. But as the terrain ahead of the initial few kilometer course is at a higher level the water flows in reverse,” said a official in the IFCD requesting not to be named.
Rakh-e-Arth Factor
 Observers opine that even the flood water from upcoming colony at Rakh-e-Arth on the City outskirts adds to the reverse flow.
 “The colony is being constructed in erstwhile flood basin near the flood spill channel. And the land filling there has added to the reverse flow,” said a retired official of IFCD department.
‘Don’t Worry’
 The IFCD officials however said there was nothing to worry. “It’s grade reverse,” said IFCD Chief Engineer, Mir Najeeb.
 He said the reverse flow was happening because the government had started the de-silting of the channel. “Basically, we are working on the project. As a portion of the channel (in Ram Bagh area) has been de-silted, the water from comparatively higher portions leads to the reverse flow,” Najeeb told Greater Kashmir.
 He said, the Rs 50 crore project when complete would restore the water carrying capacity of the channel. “The unfortunate situation has resulted in the stoppage of work, but still we are trying our best to complete the project by next year,” he added. He said several houses coming in way of the project were also being compensated. 

Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST