Div Com (K) reviews preparedness flood mgmt preparedness

Srinagar: During recent winter, the valley received 25 percent more snowfall than last year which will increase water level in rivers and tributaries during summer season and situation may become dangerous.
In this context, the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole, Thursday chaired a meeting to review flood management measures and preparedness across Kashmir division.
Through a power-point presentation, the meeting was informed that a comprehensive plan for flood management works on Jhelum, phase-I, costing Rs.399.29 Crore is presently under execution. While to mitigate a flood threat of 60,000 Cusecs at Sangam, the DPR costing Rs. 1623.43 crore has also been approved under PMDP.
After implementation of comprehensive flood management plan, water carrying capacity of river Jhelum from Sangam to Padshaibagh will increase to 60,000 cusecs from present 31800 cusecs. Water carrying capacity of Flood Spill Channel at off-take Padshahibagh will also increase to 17000 cusecs from existing 4000 cusecs. Similarly, at Ningli in Wular it will increase to 30931 cusecs from current 20,000 and at Sopore, Jhelum river’s capacity will increase to 61110 cusecs from existing 31,000.
It was further informed that Irrigation and Flood Control department (I&FC) had installed nine Automatic Water Level Recorders (WLRs) on River Jhelum at Sangam, Pampore, Ram Munshi Bagh & Asham and at its major tributaries including Sind, Lidder, Doodganga, Vaishaw & Rambiar and Automatic Rain Gauges at different locations. Besides, 12.6 lacs sand and 80,000 Geo bags have been kept at different locations of river Jhelum and other water bodies. Mobile Apps has also been developed for real time information to the public.
The Divisional Commissioner directed the concerned for instant mapping of all automatic Rain Guages, water level in rivers and tributaries besides, collecting rainfall data from May 1, on each day and the data thus collected sent to Central Water Commission (CWC) for flood forecasting well in advance.
It was informed that ERA under Jhelum and Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP) are preparing feasibility and detailed project report for flood mitigation and comprehensive river management measures for Jhelum basin through consultancy services under World Bank Project. This will help for scientific flood management plan, early warning systems and other measures.
The Divisional Commissioner asked concerned officer to expedite the whole process and complete it in a time bound manner.
He directed all Deputy Commissioners to hold meetings with Zonal 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 for further action. They were also asked to designate nodal officer who will update the inventory of disaster resources and equipment on IRDA website regularly.
The I&FC authorities department have been directed to update and list all its available tools and plants and upload it on IDRM network besides prepare a list of boats available with government agencies and private Shikara owners along with their locations.
I&FC will start the de-sliting process in canals and finish it before the commencement of agriculture season. Department has been directed to expedite the restoration works on Malshai Bagh water canal on priority basis. The concerned were asked to deploy additional laborers on the job, to ensure its timely completion.
To set up Emergency Operation Centre, Div Com directed DC Budgam and concerned officers to inspect the land bank at Ichigaam and submit the report to him.
Chief Engineer R&B was asked to ensure that the waste material 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 of Irrigation & 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 meeting where as CEO, ERA, Dr Syed Abid, Rashid Shah and nine Deputy Commissioners participated the meeting through video conferencing.