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| `More rains will submerge valley, authorities asleep' | | Flood threat looms large in Kashmir | | Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Mar 19: Threat of a major flood looms large in the Kashmir valley with no respite from hostile weather conditions. With the rainy season that lasts till ending May just ahead the situation is likely to worsen the situation, but still it makes no difference for the people at helm.
River Jhelum and its tributaries are flowing almost up to the brim, causing fear of a major flood among the inhabitants of the Kashmir valley particularly in those living in the low lying areas.
Many areas including those of the summer capital Srinagar city are all set to witness extreme flood conditions in case the water level does not recede. The level in the water bodies including Dal Lake, Jhelum and Wullar has almost touched the danger mark and this is not considered normal during the month of March.
"I apprehend that the rains for couple of days more will leave the valley submerged in water and this place will be out of bounds for any person," said Mohammad Ramzan, a house-boat owner.
The low lying areas of Kashmir valley, especially those of South Kashmir, always face a potential threat from the floods. The water easily seeps into these areas and same has been proved time and again. These floods have always caused destruction to these areas beyond imagination and calculation.
Gulzar Ahmad, a resident of Lal Chowk, Anantnag said, "Natural calamity in the form of a fierce devastating flood is for sure going to create havoc in our area once the water level crosses danger level mark. We cannot stop the as it forces its way one day or the other day, without asking for permission."
According to the environmentalists, there are some factors that have given rise to the threat of possible floods. The trees are being felled down at a tremendous rate. This is the highhandedness of a particular section of people, notoriously known as timber smugglers. These smugglers enjoy the patronage of the government. "The forest officials are following the policy of 'live and let live'.
They better know that who are behind this destruction of forest cover. But instead of acting hard against them, they receive percentage from the smugglers and help in their cause of destruction.
The environmentalists further say, "The dams which are considered as the protection from the floods have disintegrated all over the Kashmir valley. There have been no repairs to these dams since long. The water easily seeps into the residential areas giving sleepless nights to the people." |
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