Kotwal visits Sumbal, takes stock of flood damages

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 15: Commissioner Secretary, PHE, I&FC, Dr. Pawan Kotwal today conducted an extensive tour of Sumbal Sonawari  and took stock of the damages caused to the irrigation works and embankments of river Jhelum its tributaries and flood spill channels due to the recent floods.
He also inspected the restoration works being carried out in the affected areas besides dewatering operations going on in Sonawari and Baramulla.
At Malroo, he issued instructions to repair the new sluice gate to make it totally leak proof to prevent the flood waters from entering in inhabited areas and cultivable land on the right side of river Jhelum. He also instructed the SE Hydraulic to revive the old sluice gate immediately.
At Sarie Dangarpora Dewatering Station, Dr Kotwal asked concerned to expedite the dewatering operation in the area. Besides framing proposal for installation of 20 Cusec V.T. Pump in the vicinity of Sarie Dangerpora Pump Station.
The Commissioner also visited the interior parts of Ganasthan, Rakhi Shilvat and Zalpora and took stock of dewatering operation being carried out by the Fire & Emergency Department and instructed the Superintending Engineer, Mechanical Irrigation to make the dewatering pump station at Rakhi Shilvat functional immediately.
At Check-e-Ganasthan, on the demand of the local people, he asked the SE to set up the Irrigation Pump Unit of the Station on left bank of the adjacent Nallah while at Zalpora breach he instructed  concerned  engineers to plug the breach immediately.
Later, the Commissioner had a meeting with the District Development Commissioner, Bandipora, Dr. Shah Faisal at Sumbal, where it was decided that 8 dewatering pumps will be put into service at vulnerable spots identified in the area.
He also issued instructions to all the Engineers of the Irrigation & Flood Control Department to remove the structures raised by encroachers.