Experts Advocate for Increased Jhelum River Capacity to Prevent Recurrence of 2014-Like Floods

Experts Advocate for Increased Jhelum River Capacity to Prevent Recurrence of 2014-Like Floods

VoM News Desk | October 14, 2023 | 11:35 AM IST | Climate & Environment | Follow on Google News

Experts Advocate for Increased Jhelum River Capacity to Prevent Recurrence of 2014-Like Floods

Experts Advocate for Increased Jhelum River Capacity to Prevent Recurrence of 2014-Like Floods

The completion of both phases of the Flood Mitigation Plan is a significant step towards minimizing flood-related damages in the Kashmir region. However, experts emphasize that further measures are necessary for comprehensive flood protection.

The ongoing work in the tributaries of the Jhelum River is part of phase 2 of the Flood Mitigation Plan. Experts suggest that increasing the capacity of the River Jhelum to 120,000 cusecs is crucial for effective flood management. A senior official from the Irrigation & Flood Control Department emphasized the importance of enhancing the Jhelum’s capacity to handle potential floods.

The completion of phase 2 is expected to increase the Jhelum River’s capacity to 60,000 cusecs, compared to 40,000 cusecs in phase 1. However, this capacity may not be sufficient to prevent embankment breaches during a flood event similar to the devastating 2014 floods. While the damages may not be as severe as in 2014, it is essential to address the potential challenges of future floods.

The engineer working on the Flood Management Plan also highlighted the significance of timely funding and acquisition processes to ensure the successful completion of phase 2, with a three-year deadline.

The Flood Management Plan, undertaken in two phases, received funding under the Prime Minister’s Development Package, with Rs 399 crore allocated for phase 1. This phase included spot dredging and enhancing the Jhelum’s capacity to minimize potential damage. The government committee formed after the 2014 floods recommended long-term measures such as supplementary flood spill channels, storage facilities on Jhelum’s tributaries, floodplain zoning, and enhancing the capacity of Wular Lake to address the region’s flood vulnerability.

Comprehensive flood management is crucial for protecting lives and property in Kashmir, and the completion of the Flood Mitigation Plan’s phases is a step in the right direction. However, ongoing efforts and further measures are essential for enhanced flood protection and disaster resilience in the region.

VoM News Desk

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