India: Srinagar continues to be vulnerable to floods, courtesy of flawed mitigation measures
By Mudasir Yaqoob
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According to experts, nothing has been done [in Srinagar] beyond setting up some control rooms to monitor the situation, sound alerts and announce advisories in case water level touches danger mark in the Jhelum.
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Endless encroachments
Experts said the encroachment on river embankments which is a major cause for bund breaches during flood situations, are still there. “The directions of the High Court to remove all these encroachments have not been complied in letter and spirit,” they said.
Defective dredging
The dredging in Srinagar, experts said, was a futile exercise as it was not carried on “scientific lines”.
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Work at halt
According to sources, the people living in the vicinity of Hokersar wetland have allegedly [halted] the work on the flood spill channel, resulting in the loss of precious months for dredging.
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