Fluctuating water levels give sleepless nights to residents along banks

Srinagar, Jul 24: Continuous rainfall across Kashmir has left thousands of people residing along the banks of the Jhelum River and other water bodies gripped by fear, with many spending anxious nights closely watching fluctuating water levels amid concerns of possible flooding.
Residents from several low-lying areas said the persistent rains have revived painful memories of the devastating floods of September 2014, which caused widespread destruction across the Valley. They said the changing water levels throughout the day have created uncertainty, leaving families unable to sleep.
“We spend the entire night checking the river. One hour the water level appears to recede, and the next hour it rises again. Every rainfall reminds us of the 2014 floods,” Arif Ahmad, a resident of Sethar, Anantnag, living close to the Jhelum, said.
Another local said that despite repeated assurances from the authorities after the 2014 disaster, people continue to live under the constant threat of flooding whenever heavy rains lash the Valley.
“After the devastating floods, we were told that comprehensive flood management projects would significantly reduce the risk. Billions of rupees have reportedly been spent over the years, but every spell of heavy rainfall still leaves us terrified. We want to know how much the carrying capacity of the Jhelum has actually increased,” he said.
Residents questioned the effectiveness of flood protection works undertaken over the past decade, including dredging, embankment strengthening, and channel improvement.
“We are not against development works, but we deserve transparency. The government should explain what has been achieved after so many years. Has the river’s carrying capacity improved? If yes, by how much? Why do people still fear flooding every time it rains?” another resident asked.
Locals urged the authorities to regularly desilt river channels, remove encroachments, improve drainage systems, and strengthen vulnerable embankments to minimise the risk of inundation in low-lying areas.
They said that while departments remain on alert during periods of heavy rainfall, long-term solutions are needed to restore public confidence and ensure that communities living close to rivers and streams do not have to spend every rainy night in fear.
Residents appealed to the government to place in the public domain the status of flood mitigation projects launched after the 2014 floods and provide a clear assessment of their impact, particularly on enhancing the carrying capacity of the Jhelum River and reducing flood vulnerability across Kashmir.
“We do not want another tragedy like 2014. We only want assurance backed by visible results so that people can sleep peacefully even when it rains,” a resident said.
They have sought immediate attention along with reports from the department in this regard and what is in the pipeline, as such conditions are now arising almost every year. (KNO)