Flood prone Anantnag villages await embankment construction since 2014

Anantnag, February 11: Several flood prone villages in Anantnag district are awaiting construction for flood protection embankment since 2014.
The rising water level of river Veshaw (major tributary of Jhelum) poses threat to locals of Turka-Tachloo, Shamsipora , Hussanpora ,Hasanpora and other adjacent areas. Over the years inhabitants have been demanding construction of flood protection embankment to overcome flood threats in the area.
The caved in embankments of river Veshaw create atmosphere of fear among the residents of the area.
The residents of deluged land expressed dismay against Irrigation and Flood Control Department for failing to construct flood protection embankment since deluge 2014.
A local resident of Turka-Tachloo Gulzar Ah Mallah told Rising Kashmir that “ If the water level crosses the danger mark again, the weak base and ample breaches of river would not only wash away our residential houses, it would inundate the entire Kashmir valley, even areas beyond its natural limits,” he said.
Mallah said the horrifying memories of the 2014 catastrophic deluge gives restless nights to the people residing near the banks of river Veshaw .
The villagers said large portion of Veshaw embankments had been breached in many places from Turka-Tachloo to Arwani which witnessed cracks in dozens residential houses in the area.
The locals expressed dismay over the little work which was done to plug the crumbling river breeches.
“The caved-in embankment was temporarily designed with craters and filled with boulders in a few meters but the bank crumbled again.
Another local from Shamsipora Farooq Ahmad said , the villagers continuously reported their grievances to Irrigation and Flood Control Department and other concerned authorities to plug the spacious breaches permanently but they turned a deaf ear to their pleas.
Since disastrous 2014 floods whenever Veshaw rises menacingly, locals used to monitor breaches in the river embankments which were caused during the September 2014 floods.
Waseem Hasan Dar, Auqaf President of Turka-Tachloo said, a few meters embankment was constructed under the MGNREGA scheme which collapsed within days.
“We have appealed to authorities several times to strengthen the river embankments and to use tangible flood mitigation methods which could protect the banks from caving in but nothing was done,” he said.
The panic-stricken Locals of Turka-Tachloo, Shamsipora, Hussanpora, Hasanpora and other adjacent areas demand construction of flood protection embankment which deserve immediate attention from the concerned authorities.
Executive Engineer Flood Control Department Anantnag , Gh Ahmad Tantray told Rising Kashmir that they have forwarded the estimate to the Chief Office .
“Once the technical section will get in touch with our department, We would start releasing tender notices to seek out respective contractors,” he said.
However, JK Administrative council approved Rs 1623cr project for flood management of river Jhelum and its tributaries to protect flood prone areas.
Another official said, Higher authorities have sanctioned 7 crores for dredging, strengthening embankments, crater work etc. for Veshaw Nallah.