Long-term flood mitigation plan needed for Jammu: NC leader

National Conference additional general secretary and former minister, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, on Monday called for a well-conceived perspective plan on flood mitigation, keeping in view this year’s unprecedented heavy rains, flashfloods, and resultant damages in Jammu and Kashmir in general and the Jammu region in particular.

“The recent situation has once again underlined the urgent need for long-term measures to safeguard lives, property and livelihood of people living in vulnerable areas”, said Sadhotra, during his visit to Katal Batal in Nagrota Assembly constituency.

He expressed serious concern over the massive damage caused to the Jhulla bridge due to recent rains that has severely impacted pedestrian movement in the adjoining areas and creating immense hardship for local residents.

He said the damage has also adversely affected the movement of devotees to the historic ‘Pedh Devta’ shrine, which is thronged by many devotees annually from different parts of the region.

“The disruption of access to such a revered place is not just an infrastructural issue but also a matter of cultural heritage,” Sadhotra said, hoping that timely repairs and strengthening of the bridge on priority.

During the visit, Sadhotra also interacted with locals and listened to their grievances. They highlighted the urgent need for construction of a protection bund to prevent adjoining areas from getting inundated during the monsoon season. He said that absence of protective embankments has left villages exposed to recurring floods, which damage standing crops, residential houses, and local infrastructure, thereby pushing people to the edge of despair every year.