Secretary Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Departments, Farooq Ahmed Shah, convened a meeting with officers and experts to discuss the flood management in the valley.During the meeting, Shah sought suggestions including short-term plans as well as long-term plans which can be carried out to mitigate flood threat in future.Various ongoing works and the works that need to be carried out to mitigate flood threats were discussed threadbare in the meeting.The meeting was attended by Chief Engineer (I&FC) Mir Mohammad Shahnawaz, Retd Chief Engineers N A Gandroo, Imtiyaz Ahmad Dhar, Retd Chief Project Engineer Mir Abdul Majid, SEs of Hydraulic division of various districts, Executive Engineers, President Adventure Tour Operators' Association of Kashmir (ATOAK) Rauf Tramboo, and other concerned.On the occasion, the experts shared their views about flood protection works and put forward their suggestions like enhancing water carrying capacity of river Jhelum, expansion of flood channels, connecting flood channel with Hokarsar etc.
The Secretary directed the officials to expedite the dredging work. “We have to assure our people that there is no need to worry. We have to work with proper planning to mitigate flood threats as we cannot afford the 2014 floods like situation,” Shah said, adding “After every 15 days, I will monitor the progress of various works being carried out by the department.”He observed that there is a need to constitute an advisory council for the flood management. He also directed the officials to consult experts form IITs for the second opinion with regards to the mitigation of flood threats. “We need to work with a mission so that we can achieve the desired goals. We also have to infuse new vibrancy in the functioning of the department,” he said.The Secretary asked the concerned to frame a proposal with regards to the finance and the manpower needed to revamp and improve the functioning of I&FC Department.