Srinagar, Aug 28 (JKNS): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that his government will assess the steps taken after the devastating 2014 floods to understand what has changed in the Valley’s flood management system.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, Chief Minister as per news agency JKNS said the recent spell of rains had brought Jammu and Kashmir to the brink of crisis. “Had the downpour continued for two more days, the situation in both Jammu and Kashmir could have been very difficult. In 2014, it took six days of rain to push us into floods; this time just two days created a similar scenario,” he remarked.
Omar said that while the immediate flood threat has now subsided with receding water levels, a long-term approach is needed. “We must examine the carrying capacity of the Jhelum and its flood channels, and evaluate whether measures taken after 2014 were effective or not. I will personally review this with officials in the coming days,” he said.
The CM stressed that loopholes in preparedness must be fixed to avoid repeated panic during monsoon seasons. “We cannot afford to live under constant threat every year,” he cautioned.
Recent heavy rains and cloudbursts across the Union Territory had pushed rivers and streams beyond danger marks, creating a flood-like situation before the water began to recede. (JKNS)
