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Dredging to double Jehlum's carrying capacity Locals hail the move 2/20/2015 11:40:57 PM Saahil Suhail Early Times Report Anantnag, Feb 20: The ongoing dredging drive by the irrigation and flood control department in river Jehlum, which overflowed in September last year and flooded the region, is expected to double the carrying capacity of river, say officials. They said that the dredging drive which they have started from Bijbehara in Anantnag town will deep and wide the Jehulm while as will almost double its carrying capacity. "Current carrying capacity of Jehlum in Bijbehara is 30 to 35 thousand cusecs which is expected to increase up to 68 to 70 thousand cusecs after desilting the river beds, which was the major cause for last year flood." A senior official told Early Times. He said that besides unprecedented rainfall over a week last year in September, desilting major rivers like Jhelum and Chenab, and their tributaries was the main reason for the flood which killed hundreds and marooned villages. He said that the need to dredge the rivers increased mainly after the floods and because of growing soil erosion driven by deforestation, wild fires and encroachment in river catchments. Superintend Engineer, Irrigation and Flood control department, S Baderwaj in Anantnag told Early Times that the department has also restored 22 breaches including 4 major breaches in Batangoo area of Anantnag district which was a major challenge for the department as these breaches were putting the lives of people at risk. Officials said that in various areas department carried out demolition drive and demolished dozens of illegal structures particularly in boat colony Khanabal. "After floods many tributaries of river Lidder and others have changed the course in various areas so the department on priority basis restored the river and flood channels to their original positions and as of now this work of restoring the original position of nallahs stands completed." A senior official said. Meanwhile, Locals in Anantnag and Bijbehara have hailed the dredging of river Jehlum. "We must always boost the morale of the officers who take up these kinds of developmental works. Dredging of the river will surely help us and will ensure minimum damage in case of flood." Manzoor Ahmad, a Bijbehara resident said. Pertinently, Jehlum in September last year overflowed and flooded the region. The floods caused major devastation and the affected families besides the passage of months together are still awaiting relief from the state and center government.   Share This News with Your Friends on Social Network     Comment on this Story

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