Comments on: FLOOD PREVENTION IN THE VALE OF KASHMIR -by Joseph Thomas

By: J Thomas

J Thomas — Tue, 10 May 2016 02:39:53 +0000

Er. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili FIE, (Former Chief Engineer, Govt of J&K) has presented a paper at The Institution of Engineers (India), J&K State Center,
Seminar on Jhelum Dredging Project and Floods of Sept-14 in Kashmir on 7th May, 2016, “Jhelum floods and Dredging in Kashmir.”

Please see
https://shahishaharyar.wordpress.com/2016/05/10/jhelum-floods-and-dredging-in-kashmir/#like-2516

We are delighted that the distinguished Chief Engineer has mentioned this article.

By: SEQUEL TO ‘FLOOD CONTROL IN THE VALE OF KASHMIR’ by Joseph Thomas « Guftagu @ amolak.in

Tue, 23 Jun 2015 16:30:16 +0000

[...] http://amolak.in/web/flood-prevention-in-the-vale-of-kashmir-by-joseph-thomas/ [...]

By: J Thomas

J Thomas — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 12:13:54 +0000

Our article “FLOOD PREVENTION IN THE VALE OF KASHMIR” was published on 20 Sep 14, just 13 days after the catastrophic flood hit Srinagar. The response from readers was very positive but the state and central governments were fixated on constructing a second flood channel. In effect, this meant diverting the Jhelum around Srinagar. The proposal meant acquiring a large acreage of land and a lot of excavation, followed by building many bridges over the new flood channel. Worse, it would still keep the Jhelum above street level, thus posing an ever present threat to the city of Srinagar. It will be far better to dredge and de-silt the Jhelum river to bring the river bed to its original level ie below street level. This alone will take care of the flood flow of the Jhelum.

Fortunately, our proposal got support from many knowledgeable engineers, including Er Ashraf Fazili, Retd Chief Engineer, PWD, J&K. He has written articles in “Greater Kashmir” and other newspapers. It has taken some time but the Central Water Commission (CWC) also appears to have veered around to our view.
In a democracy, public opinion is very important and that is why Political Science trumps all other Science disciplines. It is, therefore, a major milestone to find Retd IGP Abdul Rashid Khan writing in “Greater Kashmir” on 10 Apr 15 :

“The September floods have left an indelible impact on our minds and in March we just escaped the fury somehow. ………..The September floods have already rendered the city into shambles and the recent rains are posing more threat to very existence of the city. The traders of the Lal Chowk during their recent interaction with the CM, were right in making the submission that the future need is to have the permanent remedial measures. Therefore the few suggestions can be thought over.

(a) Immediate dredging and de-silting of river Jhelum, Doodh Ganga, Flood spill channels of Rambagh, Rawlpora and strengthening of their embankments.
(b) ……………………..

[Full article at http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2015/Apr/10/save-srinagar-3.asp “

Retd IGP Abdul Rashid Khan has put forth eight recommendations, the first of which is to de-silt the Jhelum river, its tributaries and the existing flood channel. He does not even mention the grandiose idea of constructing a second flood channel.

This is a welcome development and I am cautiously optimistic that the flood problem in the Kashmir Valley will be solved.

By: J Thomas

J Thomas — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 05:25:07 +0000

Further light at the end of the tunnel : After talking only of a grandiose project to make a new flood channel — in effect diverting the Jhelum away from Srinagar — the authorities seem to have realised that the best way is to de-silt the Jhelum by dredging it. Dredging the existing river does not require acquisition of any land nor construction of new bridges over a new flood channel.
See http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2015/Apr/6/after-the-flood-scare-5.asp?&msg=Incorrect%20Security%20Code

By: J Thomas

J Thomas — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 04:37:22 +0000

The latest report in Greater Kashmir newspaper is that the Central Govt will take a decision on flood control measures on 07 Apr 15. Rs 401 cr are expected to be sanctioned for “dredging of river Jhelum and land acquisition to widen the river’s flood channel.”

There is no need to widen the flood channel. We need a certain cross sectional area to accommodate the expected water flow. This can be achieved by deepening the flood channel. There is no need for additional land. The money can be better spent for deepening the flood channel.

Though I should make one caveat. The current flood channel does not extend all the way to Wular Lake. It ends in a rural area. What it basically does is to divert the flood from the city to the rural areas. In case the land acquisition is for extending the flood channel upto Wular Lake, then it is a good idea and long overdue.

I’m cautiously optimistic that our campaign for de-silting the Jhelum by dredging is producing results.

By: Mohd. Irshad

Mohd. Irshad — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 04:35:28 +0000

Raining heavily in Srinagar again!!

By: J Thomas

J Thomas — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 12:35:34 +0000

Noted, thanks. Am sending a mail to your ID

By: Shibu K. Mani

Shibu K. Mani — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 14:45:28 +0000

It was a very interesting post indeed. I have begun a work (at a pilot level) to categorize floods in Himalayan region (latitudinal window). The primary objective is to have interaction with those who have experience on floods in the Himalayan region (engineers, river dynamics scientists, academicians and so on to get a multi discipline nature). I could find who posted in this forum including the author of the post are potential resource persons. Those who are willing to share their experiences, would you please send a mail to my email ID so that I can contact.

Dr Shibu K Mani (shibumanik@gmail.com)
Hazard Sciences
Centre for Disaster Management
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Mumbai

By: Joseph Thomas

Joseph Thomas — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 03:38:05 +0000

This news report says that dredging work in river Jhelum will start in November.
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2014/Oct/31/devastating-floods-silt-up-jhelum-72.asp

Whether our article led to this decision or not, I’m glad that we are moving in the right direction.

This is our answer to the cynics.

By: Joseph Thomas

Joseph Thomas — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 03:35:18 +0000

This news report says that dredging work in river Jhelum will start in November.
http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2014/Oct/31/devastating-floods-silt-up-jhelum-72.asp

Whether our article led to this decision or not, I’m glad that we are moving in the right direction.