This winter, the valley received 25 percent more snowfall than last year which will increase water level in rivers and tributaries during summer season. In this context, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, today chaired a meeting to review flood management measures and preparedness across Kashmir division.
Through a power-point presentation, the meeting was informedthat a comprehensive plan for flood management works on Jhelum, phase-I,costing Rs 399.29 crore is presently under execution. While to mitigate a floodthreat of 60,000 Cusecs at Sangam, DPR costing Rs. 1623.43 crore has also beenapproved under PMDP.
After implementation of comprehensive flood management plan,water carrying capacity of river Jhelum from Sangam to Padshaibagh willincrease to 60,000 cusecs from present 31800 cusecs. Water carrying capacity ofFlood Spill Channel at off-take Padshahibagh will also increase to 17000 cusecsfrom existing 4000 cusecs. Similarly, at Ningli in Wular it will increase to30931 cusecs from current 20,000 and at Sopore, Jhelum river’s capacity willincrease to 61110 cusecs from existing 31,000.
It was further informed that Irrigation and Flood Controldepartment (I&FC) had installed nine Automatic Water Level Recorders (WLRs)on River Jhelum at Sangam, Pampore, Ram Munshi Bagh & Asham and at itsmajor tributaries including Sind, Lidder, Doodganga, Vaishaw & Rambiar andAutomatic Rain Gauges at different locations. Besides, 12.6 lakh sand and80,000 Geo bags have been kept at different locations of river Jhelum and otherwater bodies. Mobile Apps has also been developed for real time information tothe public.
The Divisional Commissioner directed the concerned forinstant mapping of all automatic Rain Gauges, water level in rivers andtributaries besides collecting rainfall data from May 1, on each day and thedata thus collected sent to Central Water Commission (CWC) for floodforecasting well in advance.
It was informed that ERA under Jhelum and Tawi FloodRecovery Project (JTFRP) are preparing feasibility and detailed project reportfor flood mitigation and comprehensive river management measures for Jhelumbasin through consultancy services under World Bank Project. This will help forscientific flood management plan, early warning systems and other measures.
The Divisional Commissioner asked concerned officer toexpedite the whole process and complete it in a time bound manner.
He directed all Deputy Commissioners to hold meetings withZonal Flood Committees immediately and notify necessary orders at an earliest.DCs have been asked to ensure regular revision of Disaster Management plans,up-date the same on regular basis and send the copies to the Div Com forfurther action. They were also asked to designate nodal officer who will updatethe inventory of disaster resources and equipment on IRDA website regularly.
The I&FC authorities department have been directed toupdate and list all its available tools and plants and upload it on IDRMnetwork besides prepare a list of boats available with government agencies andprivate Shikara owners along with their locations.
I&FC will start the de-silting process in canals andfinish it before the commencement of agriculture season. Department has beendirected to expedite the restoration works on Malshai Bagh water canal onpriority basis. The concerned were asked to deploy additional laborers on thejob, to ensure its timely completion.
To set up Emergency Operation Centre, Div Com directed DCBudgam and concerned officers to inspect the land bank at Ichigaam and submitthe report to him.
Chief Engineer R&B was asked to ensure that the wastematerial of bridges is cleared from rivers and tributaries within a fortnight.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary,Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Chief Engineers ofIrrigation & Flood Control, PHE, R&B, Director Fire & Emergency,DIG (North), VC LAWDA, Assistant Commissioner (central) Aziz Ahmad Rather,Assistant Director MET and other concerned officials were present in the meetingwhere as CEO, ERA, Dr Syed Abid Rashid Shah and nine Deputy Commissionersparticipated the meeting through video conferencing.