Govt adopts two pronged strategy to enhance flood resilience in Anantnag: Javed Rana

Srinagar: The government has adopted a two-pronged strategy, involving short-term and long-term measures, to mitigate the flood risks in Anantnag district and enhance overall flood resilience.
This was informed by Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, in response to a question raised by Legislator Nizam-ud-din Bhat on behalf of Legislator Peerzada Mohammad Syed.
Javed Rana said that the recent interventions have significantly strengthened the flood management infrastructure and improved the district’s flood resilience. He informed the House that Anantnag district has 195 flood-prone villages and continuous efforts are underway to safeguard life, property and agricultural assets through sustained preventive and protective measures.
Providing details, the Minister said that permanent flood protection works have been undertaken under PMDP Phase-II for strengthening of flood management infrastructure in vulnerable areas of Anantnag district.
He informed that bank protection works have been executed at critical locations at a cost of Rs 10.07 crore, covering a length of 873 metres. He added that embankments in flood-prone stretches have been raised at a cost of Rs 18.97 crore, covering a length of 9,168 metre.
Javed Rana said that short-term measures are being focused on immediate preparedness and mitigation in vulnerable areas. He said that these measures include restoration of weak spots identified during safety audits of river embankments through temporary protection works, such as laying filled EC bags on bunds.
He further informed that with the onset of the flood season, advance preparedness is being ensured by pre-positioning EC bags at vulnerable locations and keeping men and machinery in a state of readiness.
Regarding the irrigation projects in Anantnag district, the Minister stated that the district has a total of 64 irrigation schemes, comprising 47 gravity schemes, 15 Lift Irrigation Schemes (LIS) and 2 Tube Well Irrigation Schemes (TWIS). He informed that these schemes cover a Cultivable Command Area (CCA) of 22,742 hectare, against which an irrigation potential of 18,667 hectare has been created with 18,481 hectare presently under utilization.
He further informed that 19 irrigation schemes were earlier taken up under the AIBP–PMKSY, of which, seven have been completed while the remaining are at various stages of completion.
Furthermore, seven irrigation schemes have been undertaken under UT Capex, of which, two stand completed while the remaining are currently in progress, he added.
Legislator Altaf Ahmad wani raised supplementary questions.