Srinagar, Feb, 09: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday informed the Legislative Assembly that 195 villages in Anantnag district, including Anantnag town, have been identified as flood-prone, underlining the district’s continued vulnerability to floods despite mitigation efforts.
The information was provided by Minister for Jal Shakti, Flood Control and Irrigation Javed Ahmad Rana in a written reply to a question raised by Congress legislator Peerzada Saeed.
According to the official reply, flood-prone areas in Anantnag district include -Anantnag Town, Naibasti, Khanabal, Laizbal, Achidoora, Chee, Nanil, Okura, Batgund, Gurrey, Gundi, Katrireng, Waragund, Veer, Khallen, Janglatmandi, Mominabad, Dabrun, Kadpora, Kanganhall, Magraypora, Brakpora, Danter, Pushwara, Muniward, Bahramshah, Harnag, Bijbehara, Wuranhall, Gadhanji¬pora, Zirpora, Pazilpora, Tulkhan, Madhama, Simthan, Sangam, Sarigam, Batkoot, Naina, Movera, Batpora, Yanner, Ganeshpora, Jaibal, Amadzoo, Amad, Amadwagad, Karshangam, Dalseer, Bagwani Sallar, Dachigam, Pethnoo, Watalfohar, Mallapora- Fohar, Sakras, Trail, Banderbal Seer, Pethnumbal, Kharshouthool Hutmurah, Overa, Kathsoo, Loiseer, Hugam, Pushkreeri, Kanelwan, Seer Hamdan, Badigam, Akad, Badran, Hangalpawa, Gogaldar, Khayar, Shumhaal, Chandrigam, Rakhi Chandipora, Ambirpora Numbal, Bumzoo, Shamsipora, Anzullah, Aung Matipora, Scepan, Arder, Krad, Uttersoo, Shergund, Shangus, Wangam, Brakpora, Isosoo, Tailwani, Tumbirpora, Magraypora, Kadpora, Donipowa, Nunwani, Thajiwara, Oudsoo, Brisnoo, Dardpora, Brimmer, Deva Colony Anantnag Town, Ashajipora, Papyabal, Zadipora Batpora, Ganjwara, Danter, Hanji Danter, Rohu, Utersoo Neijgund, Harnag, Batengoo, Uranhaal, Scmthan, Marhama, Hamzapora, Gaudhjipora, Donipora, Gadiseer, Halmullah, Matihundoo, Guridraman, Tangwani, Naubugh, Larnoo, Khreti, Nagdarman, Daksum, Bidhard, Dandipora, Gadole, Vailoo, Soaf, Panzgam, Watnard, PeerTakiya -Sagam, Arhama, Badasgam, Hakura, Malikpora, Damhaal, Palpora, Dialgam, Brenty, Irkumoo, Adigam, Nagum, Kandiwara, Khartar, Hiller, Dehruna, Zaldoora, Naidpora, Larkipora, GundFatehpora, Schichan, Sadoora, Kamad, Kamad, Shankerpora, Wanpora, Shupora, Vessu, Sangdan, Nipora, Bumthan, Lilipora, Cherhama, Muniward, Hengipora, Ringmandoo, Yakerboo, Kapran, Gawas, Doudwagan, Qammer, Halsidar, Heeward, Rein, Chowgund, Gorinard, Panzoo, Zamalqam, Chinigund, Polia, Mehmoodabad, Kulamchinar, Umoh, Verinag, Wanpora, Bout Tachloo, Hasanpora Tawella, Arwani, Laktipora, Naubatbatpora, Naina, Rahpora, Turka Tachloo, Shamsipora, Hasanporabagh, Tulkhan and Naina Batpora,
The flood-prone areas include villages located along the Lidder, Brengi, Vaishaw, Aaripat, Veth, Veth Vethastu and Sandran streams, which are vulnerable to flash floods, as well as low-lying areas — including Anantnag town and its adjoining villages — that are inundated even after moderate rainfall.
The minister said the government has adopted a two-pronged strategy involving short-term preparedness and long-term flood mitigation works to address the recurring flood threat in the district.
“Under short-term measures, weak spots identified during safety audits of river embankments are being restored through temporary protection works, including the placement of earth-filled EC bags on vulnerable bunds,” he said.
The minister said that ahead of the flood season, filled EC bags are pre-positioned at critical locations, and men and machinery are kept on standby under stage contracts to respond to any emergency.
“These measures are being implemented in close coordination with the district administration, the Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department, and other line departments,” the reply said.
On long-term mitigation, the government said permanent flood protection works have been undertaken under PMDP Phase-II. Bank protection works have been executed at critical locations adjoining vulnerable areas at a cost of Rs. 10.07 crore, covering a total length of 873 meters.
“Further, embankments in vulnerable stretches have been raised at a cost of Rs. 18.97 crore, covering a length of 9,168 meters, taking total expenditure on flood mitigation works in Anantnag district to over Rs. 29 crore,” the reply said.
Anantnag was among the worst-affected districts during the floods triggered by incessant rains in September last year, along with parts of neighbouring Kulgam district.
The floods caused extensive damage to paddy fields, vegetable farms, horticulture orchards, and public infrastructure.
