Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, May 25: In view Kashmir received highest snowfall in the recent season in last two decades, administration has directed departments to be well prepared to deal with any possibility of floods.
“Kashmir has witnessed two decades highest snowfall. In view of the melting of snow coupled with intermittent precipitation we shall be in highest level of precipitation to meet the challenges arising out the adverse weather conditions so as to prevent recurrence of the situation that was witnessed in 2014 floods,” Divisional Commissioner Kashmir P K Pole as per documents has directed departments in a recently held meeting.
“All the heads of cellular telecommunications companies operating in Kashmir division shall mandatorily visit the NDMA website and shall thoroughly go through the SOPs related to them, thereby shall made assessment alternative strategy regarding the flood preparations in comparison to 2014 floods,” the document reads, a copy of which lies with Early Times.
The Irrigation and Flood Control Department as per the document has been directed to provide the 2014 inundation map to these cellular companies who shall identify their present and 2014 inundation important installations towers exchanges etc and shall submit the same to this office as well as to the I&FC Department. On September 7, 2014, floods hit Kashmir, killing over 250 people and rendering thousands of people homeless.
Post 2014 floods, the government made several announcements to prevent such disasters in the future.
However, the government’s announcements have been confined to papers. Several projects are yet to see the light of the day.
Official data reveals that the authorities have declared floods at least nine times since 2014.
Post 2014 deluge, the government had announced that dredging of river Jhelum would be completed in two phases in three years. Surprisingly, the first phase still awaits completion almost six years after the announcement.
“Nothing has been done in these years, except dredging at few spots and refilling patches of Jhelum’s embankments, which were washed away in 2014 floods,” the sources said.
In July 2015, the first-ever disaster management plan was approved by the cabinet headed by the then chief minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
However, the sources said the disaster management plan is yet to be implemented.
“The government has failed to equip the agencies that could deal with disasters and mitigate the sufferings of people in the wake of natural calamity,” an official of Revenue and Rehabilitation department, said.
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