Ganderbal, Sep 03: The recent flash floods in Central Kashmir have caused the water level in the Sindh River to rise sharply, resulting in the collapse of a section of the internal link road in the Ziri Pora Kullan area of Ganderbal district.
Muhammad Abbas, a local landowner said that his property, which originally measured seven kanals, has been reduced to just one kanal due to the Sindh River changing its course during the 2015 floods.
Abbas said that he has repeatedly appealed to the Flood Control Department to construct a solid embankment and clear debris from the river to protect the road, bridge, and remaining land. Despite multiple assurances from the department, no action has been taken to address the issue.
Local Lumberdar Khurshid Ahmed Sheikh also highlighted that four months ago locals had raised issues about the deteriorating situation. Following this, the Executive Engineer of Flood Control Ganderbal visited the site and assured residents that a protective wall would be built soon. However, four months have passed with no progress, leaving the road, bridge, and surrounding land vulnerable to further damage.
Sheikh further said that the road, which serves as a vital link for the area, has developed numerous ditches and potholes, making it increasingly hazardous for commuters. The problem is exacerbated during the rainy season, rendering the road accident-prone. Many drivers now avoid using this route, causing significant inconvenience to passengers.
In times of flash floods or disruptions along the Srinagar-Leh highway, traffic is typically diverted through the Ziri Pora Kullan Road. However, with the current state of the road and the nearby bridge also at risk of collapse, the situation is becoming increasingly untenable. Sheikh urged the concerned authorities to deploy heavy machinery to remove mud and debris from the river to prevent further erosion and water damage.
Employees from the Flood Control Department have visited the site and reported the severity of the issue to higher authorities. Despite these visits, residents are calling for immediate action from the District Development Commissioner Ganderbal and Flood Control officers to mitigate the risks and prevent further hardship for the community.
