Monsoon rains have set in furiously. Jammu region experienced heavy rains in past 48 hours with water in rivers and nullahs rising to threatening levels. Chenab is running to its brim and has turned into a mighty ocean. Scores of nullahs have turned into big rivers and villages and towns situated close to them are in danger.
Rains are common during monsoon season. The grave situation is a warning to the people that they should be careful about the rising water in nullahs, which can wash away houses and cattle. In a hilly state like ours, the summer nullahs are filled to the brim and can cause damage to life and property.
In view of this threatening situation, it is important that Government machinery on district, tehsil and block levels is galvanized into action. It is the duty of local officials to alert the population and also to inform the higher authorities about preventive measures that should be taken to forestall the threat of loss of life. People should be advised to be ready to move to safer places in case water level in the nullahs rises suddenly. Relief agencies should also get activated to respond to any emergency that might crop up suddenly.
The experience is that during the rainy season there are mudslides and landslides along the National Highway connecting Jammu with Srinagar. This leads to suspension of road traffic and often vehicles get stranded on the Highway. Traffic police deployed on important roads has to be alerted to issue proper instructions to the truck and car drivers plying on the mountainous roads to be aware of weather conditions. Additional traffic police needs to be deployed to control movement of vehicles when the weather is threatening.
In particular, the rising level of water in two main rivers of Chenab and Tawi has to be monitored hour by hour. Water level in Chenab was nearly 28 ft at Akhnoor, just 5 ft below danger mark. It however, nearly touched the alert mark. Reports of water from nullahs entering localities and houses have begun to come in. At some places the bund has been broken and needs to be repaired immediately. Flood and Irrigation Department has to activate its organs to be ready to meet exigency likely to be created by the flash floods. There is every possibility of more rains coming during next weeks. As such the Government machinery has to be in full preparedness.
Very often floods are followed by epidemic and water-borne diseases, which again take a toll of life. The Health Department shall have to take into account this exigency well in advance. In short entire administrative machinery has to be geared up to meet the impending threat of flash floods and provide relief to the affected people. Prevention is better than cure goes the old saying. People must also remain alert and plan their security.
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