Signifying failure of authorities to undertake flood prevention measures, breach in embankments at Shivpora area here were caused in last several days at same spots wherefrom Jhelum water had entered the locality during devastating floods in 2014.
Residents of Shivpora area said breach in the bund was caused near a temple in 2014 floods. Coincidentally, breach in embankment was caused at the same spot on Saturday. However, the alert residents informed flood control department which plugged the breach.
“Similar situation was witnessed at Shivpora Dhar Bagh near ERA pump site. It was after repeated attempts that flood control department woke up to our pleas,” said Basharat Ahmad of Rose Enclave Shivpora.
Basharat’s house and all other residential houses in Rose Enclave got submerged for about 20 days in 2014. The residents are worried about the condition of their homes in case of repeat of 2014-like floods.
“The concerned officials hardly bother to check the condition of weak embankments right from Panderethan to Batwara and Shivpora which were repaired in 2015,” the residents said.
“Look at the dredging machines which have been docked here indicating the callousness of the Reach Company which only extracted sand for sale and did not undertake any dredging,” alleged Basharat.
He said that a delegation from Shivpora called on advisor to Governor and apprised him about the situation arising out of “sub-standard work carried on for repairing of damaged embankments.”
The locals at Shivpora demanded that toe-wall needs to be constructed from Shivpora temple to Athwajan to prevent breach of embankments in case water level rises in Jhelum.
Like these damaged portion of embankments, the breach at Athwajan near Mehjoor’s tomb has been filled by soil making it a vulnerable to another breach. Similarly, the breaches at Batwara and other adjacent places have also been repaired without applying any technical expertise.
Authorities had to close the Galandar-Pampore road stretch after river water accumulated on main Srinagar-Jammu highway in Kadlabal area. The road stretch from Batwara to Athwajan was also worst hit.
People at large are not satisfied by the work done on embankments by the authorities. “We brought these complaints into the notice of authorities. The higher ups showed no interest into the matter,” alleged a group of locals at Athwajan.
“The unsafe embankments can prove a disaster as the embankments have not been repairs by scientific methods. There must be an inquiry into the matter,” he added.
In September 2014, Jhelum water had entered Rajbagh, Chattabal, Parimpora and other areas by overflowing the banks.
“After, the flood waters receded, an analysis was done to determine how flood water entered the city areas. Low height of banks was found as reason. It was decided to raise the level of embankments for future protection,” said an official. “However nothing was later done on ground,” he added.