Bandipora, Sep 10: Thousands of residents in various villages of Bandipora district are spending sleepless nights these days amid fears of floods. Residents complain of weak embankments around River Jhelum and streams like Arin and Madhumati.
They fear the swelling of River Jhelum and various streams like Madhumati and Arin will flood their localities anytime.
“We fear heavy floods and destruction just as it did 17 years ago,” said Sarpanch of Shokbaba, Nazir Ahmed, adding, “The flood fear is understandable as the embankments around Arin Nallah at Shokhbaba is weak.”
“Most of the embankment portion near Shokhbaba is worn out due to lack of maintenance and the gushing waters have started damaging it,” locals said.
Sarpanch Nazir Ahmed told Greater Kashmir that fearing floods, they have closed schools located near the river banks.
The fast-moving river has already swallowed pedestrian pathways and a makeshift bridge, locals said.
“We are not sure if the embankments are going to withstand water pressure,” locals said. Locals in Muslimabad and Gamoora said the villages have been facing flood problems for the past 20 years and administration has overlooked their plight.
Ever since the floods of August 1995, locals have been staying awake all night during heavy rains, lest the flood should occur again in the wake of weak embankments.
The looming threat of embankment breach in Hajin, Sumbal, Preng, Madvan, Chrengpora and Mukhdamyari, located around Jhelum, poses great threat to the localities.
Although the administration claims spending crores of rupees on repairing the embankments, many argue that it is just a temporary fix and that streams and rivers are still prone to flooding.
The concerned officer in the Disaster Management wing told Greater Kashmir that there are no reports of floods from any part of the district.
He said that whole machinery is ready to face any disaster as the preparations are in flung swing to mitigate any problem.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 10 Sep 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:00:00 IST