 Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Apr 20: The incessant rains for the last few days once again exposed the poor drainage system of Kashmir especially in Srinagar.
The Kashmir Valley has been receiving intermittent rains for the last few days. However, on Friday, there was heavy rainfall resulting in water logging. "Although the intermittent downpour was going on since Wednesday, but the heavy rainfall on Friday caused water logging in parts of the valley," an official at Divisional Commissioner Kashmir office said. Several roads, by-lanes of the city have been under water, causing immense hardships to the public. There was water logging at Magarmal Bagh, Jehaingir Chowk, TRC, Residency Road, Gantaghar, Samandar Bagh, Sonawar Shivpora. Several areas of Jawahar Nagar, Rajbagh, Sanatnagar, Safakadal, Karanagar, Batamaloo, Qamarwari also faced water logging.
Water has entered a number of residential houses and other structures in Hamdaina Colony, Bilal Colony Bemina, Samandar Bagh, Mahajor Nagar and Natipora areas.
Ishat, a resident of Sakidafar, said the poor drainage system has become a nuisance for the people and the rain water has also entered into several shops in the area. "The government has failed to drain out water from the area," he said. Old City areas like Ganderpora, Lone Mohalla, Firdous Colony Eidgah also faced heavy water logging.
The residents said there is no drainage system in place in these areas. "We brought into the notice of authorities several times but to no avail," Omar Ahmad, a resident of Eidgah said. Traffic jams were also witnessed at several places in Srinagar city due to water logging.
In south Kashmir's Anantnag district, there was heavy water logging at KP Road Anantnag. "No water is being drained-out from several roads by-lanes of the district," Imran, a resident of Anantnag said.
Reports are also pouring in Budgam where several areas of Narbal, Chorpora, Gatapora, Aarath faced water logging. "We always face water logging even by slight rainfall. An official of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation said there is "poor drainage" system in Srinagar. He said there are some places that face water logging because of poor drainage system and unplanned constructions.
"In Srinagar city, only 37 percent areas have drainage network that never face water logging," he added.Sources said that around 500 drainage schemes were started over the years in Srinagar, of which only less than 50 per cent could be completed due to paucity of funds.
The September 2014 floods has, according to officials, worsened the drainage system in the state to the extent that it can lead to a flood like situation if it downpours for more than a day.. |
