Rs 1632 Cr Master Plan in pipeline for river Jhelum flood mitigation: Javed Rana

Minister for Jal Shakti Department, Javed Ahmed Rana today said that the government has Rs 1632 Crore Master Plan is in the pipeline for river Jhelum flood mitigation.The Minister informed this while replying to a question raised by Legislator Sheikh Ahsan Ahmad in the Legislative Assembly today.He said that a comprehensive flood mitigation plan including deep de-silting and increasing carrying capacity of river Jhelum and its flood spilling channels is in the pipeline to enhance flood mitigation measures in the Valley.The Minister said that nearly Rs 15 crores flood protection works have been undertaken in Srinagar to mitigate flood risk.He informed that as part of long-term and permanent flood protection measures, under PMDP Phase-II, various bank protection works have been undertaken at critical locations adjoining the above areas at a cost of Rs. 12.30 crores.Furthermore, to mitigate the risk of overflow, raising of embankments in vulnerable stretches has been carried out at a cost of Rs 2.49 crores, thereby enhancing the overall flood resilience of the area.The Minister stated that the areas of Lasjan, Gandbal, Soiteng, Vethpara, Padshahi Bagh, Kursoo Rajbagh, Shivpora, Sonawar, Batwara, Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar and adjoining localities are prone to flooding when the discharge exceeds approximately 40,000 cusecs, leading to overflow from the riverbanks.He said that the habitations located on the left bank of River Jhelum exhibit relatively higher vulnerability due to their low-lying topography.He said besides short-term measures to mitigate flood threats in these localities include the restoration of weak spots identified during safety audits of river embankments through temporary protection works such as the laying of filled EC bags are also undertaken.Additionally, as the flood season approaches, advance preparedness measures are undertaken by pre-positioning filled EC bags at vulnerable locations and keeping men and machinery under stage contracts in readiness to respond to any eventuality. These actions are executed in close coordination with the District Administration, DMRRR, and other line departments.He further said that the flood threat can be minimized through structural and non-structural measures (Flood early warning and Flood plain zoning).Supplementary were raised by Legislators including Tanvir Sadiq, Javid Riyaz Bedar, Hasnain Masoodi.