Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 31: A catastrophic flash flood struck the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-Jammu) on Tuesday severely impacting both the campuses at Chatha and R S Pura.
The Chatha campus was the worst hit where water levels rose to nearly seven to eight feet submerging buildings, roads, parapets, vehicles, agricultural fields while the R S Pura campus also reported significant damage.
The floodwaters caused widespread devastation with initial estimates suggesting losses of around Rs 100-120 crores. Apart from costly research equipments, vehicles, IT infrastructure, records, experimental fields and livestock units, the university suffered extensive damage to roads, boundary parapets, power house, internal pathways, drainage structures, playgrounds, library, sports facilities, stadium, student centre, Community Radio Station and e-studio etc.
Of grave concern is the potential loss of invaluable research data, experimental trials and breeding material which form the backbone of the university’s academic and research mandate. Significant losses were also reported in the assets created under various research and development initiatives such as the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), Competitiveness Improvement of Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project in Jammu & Kashmir (JKCIP), hi-tech greenhouses, polyhouses, ex-situ gene bank and modern farm machinery including gensets and tractors.
Ground floors of all major buildings including classrooms, laboratories, libraries, hostels and administrative blocks were inundated. Vehicles belonging to staff and students were seen floating across the campus. Nearly 500 individuals, including students, faculty, staff and labourers were stranded in different parts of the campuses.
In a coordinated operation, the Indian Army, CRPF, NDRF and SDRF assisted by university officials and local volunteers carried out massive rescue efforts.
The aftermath of the flood remains grim as submerged soils, debris and silt deposits have damaged infrastructure, research farms, experimental plots and seed production units threatening years of scientific work. Faculty members expressed anguish over the damage to critical laboratories and data but reaffirmed resilience.
The University administration has initiated a comprehensive damage assessment across both campuses and a consolidated report is being prepared for submission to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to seek immediate relief and restoration support. To assess the situation on the ground, a high-level team from the Agriculture Production Department comprising the Secretary, Special Secretary, Director Planning, Joint Director Planning and Deputy Secretary visited SKUAST-Jammu. As per preliminary estimates, the losses have been tentatively assessed at Rs 100-120 crores.
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