Srinagar’s Flood Action Plan 2024-2025 unveiled; Lal Chowk among 37 high-risk areas

4 December 2024

By: Jahangir Sofi

Srinagar: The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Srinagar has unveiled the ‘Srinagar Flood Action Plan 2024-2025.’

Notably, this comprehensive exercise follows the devastating September 2014 deluge, during which extreme flooding was experienced in most parts of the Kashmir region.

According to the Flood Action Plan 2024-2025 document, a total of 37 areas in Srinagar are flood-prone, including critical zones like Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, and Gogji Bagh, which experienced extensive submergence in the 2014 floods.

The plan has highlighted that the mapping of flood-prone zones has been integrated with Google Maps to enhance visualization and preparedness.

The plan has laid down Zonal Management Committees, with each dedicated committee constituted to oversee evacuation, relief camps, and emergency response in high-risk zones like South, Khanyar, and Panthachowk tehsils.

With regard to the infrastructure development, the plan states that the embankment reinforcement and flood protection walls are planned for vulnerable spots to mitigate inundation risks.

For relief and evacuation, the plan has mentioned that more than 50 evacuation centers including schools and community halls have been identified to accommodate affected populations during emergencies.

The plan stresses the use of early warning systems, weather forecasting, and digital platforms to disseminate timely alerts. It also mentions a centralized control room which will coordinate responses and manage communications during flood emergencies.

The plan has highlighted community engagement with grassroots-level collaboration with Mohalla committees, local NGOs, and volunteers to enhance on-ground response and recovery efforts.

The plan also mentions that training sessions and mock drills will be conducted to equip residents with the skills needed to handle emergencies.

The document states that the plan incorporates lessons from this disaster to prioritize early warning systems, enhanced coordination among agencies, and real-time communication for effective crisis management.

Dr. Bilal Mohi-Din Bhat, Deputy Commissioner and also Chairperson of the DDMA, in his message in the proposed Flood Action Plan 2024-2025 plan states, “Our mission is to minimize loss of life and property. The plan is a robust framework to ensure preparedness at every level, from preventive measures to post-disaster rehabilitation.”

The plan has stated that the district demands for better flood preparedness to make sure that appropriate and effective response measures are taken during flood emergency to minimise the loss of life and property. “Apart from an effective disaster response system, it is important to have a good flood prevention and mitigation strategy to achieve the objectives of vulnerability reduction in the district,” states the Flood Action Plan.

Notably, the 2014 massive flood resulted in widespread destruction and colossal loss of life and property in the Kashmir region.

According to the officials, with an estimated discharge of approximately 1,15,218 upstream at Sangam and 72,585 cusecs downstream at Ram Munshi Bagh gauging stations in Srinagar, the discharge was declared as the highest ever recorded on the trunk river (Jhelum)of Kashmir basin (Irrigation and Flood Control Department, 2014).

The plan mentions that the 2014 flood resulted in the deaths of 282 people and damage to 2.53 lakh houses across the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

During this flood event, about 60 per cent of the Srinagar city’s area submerged under water, witnessing the water depth up to 16 feet (e.g. in the localities of Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Gogji Bagh) and extended inundation period of approximately 25 days in the residential areas, including the Central Business District (CBD) of the city More than 0.6 million people were stranded in the submerged housing colonies of the city for more than a week without drinking water, food and other essentials. —(KNO)