Govt failed to issue early warnings: Flood report

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 17

A first comprehensive report compiled by the Centre for Research and Development Policy (CRDP) and ActionAid on Kashmir floods has recommended an investigation into why the administration could not do much to inform people in advance.

The report of the CDRP, a Kashmir-based group working on critical research leading to policy formation, and ActionAid, an international development agency, was submitted to J&K Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Basharat Bukhari on Monday in Jammu.

“The government should conduct an investigation into the causes of the 2014 floods in Kashmir to find out why the administration could not do much to inform people in advance (through early warnings),” read one of the major recommendations of the report.

The devastating floods in September last year had damaged over three lakh structures in the state. These include 83,044 that were fully damaged. Despite this, even after over six months, flood-affected people continue to suffer due to a slow rehabilitation process.

The report was made after compiling various viewpoints which were tabled during a seminar on “Kashmir floods: genesis, response and way forward” in November last year. The report makes a critical assessment of causes that led to floods.

The report while quoting noted earth scientist Shakil Ramshoo has recommended that to avoid the floods of such severity and magnitude in future, the state government needs to strengthen flood control infrastructure system.

“They need to develop early warning systems, do massive conservation of wetlands, construct alternate flood channels, create public awareness, undertake assessment of flood-vulnerable areas and timely dredging of the Jhelum and the Wular Lake,” Ramshoo has been quoted in the report.

The report while quoting Chief Town Planner, Kashmir division, Iftikhar Hakim, said there should be a ban on the conversion of wetlands.

The director, CRDP, Ghulam Nabi Suhail, said the report had been submitted to the state government.

“This comprehensive document has been compiled after considering the viewpoints of all stakeholders and submitted to the J&K Relief and Rehabilitation Minister. The document can guide the government in handling future disasters,” Suhail said.