After floods, Kashmir facing drinking water crisis

Srinagar, Sep 8 (UNI) Concerned over the drinking water crisis following damage caused to the filtration plants by the recent flood in the Kashmir valley, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has directed engineers to make bore-wells functional to effectively meet the shortfall of 20 lakh gallons of water.

''Make at least ten bore-wells functional within 30 days to effectively meet the shortfall of 20 lakh gallons of water,'' Mr Azad told engineers during his inspection of Sitlee Filtration Plant damaged by the flood.

He asked the engineers to put through a contingency programme to meet the drinking water requirements and also go for boring tube wells in areas facing water crisis.

The engineers assured that these ten bore-wells would become operational within the target period.

Directing the administration to show promptness in collection and compilation of flood damage details so that necessary succour is provided to the affected, the Chief Minister said that on the basis of these details adequate central help could be sought.

He said he has taken up the matter for release of central assistance for flood affected people with the concerned union ministry and central leadership.

The Chief Minister was informed by the concerned authorities that Bemina, Lasjan and Nowgam areas are still inundated because of high level of water in river Jehlum.

Reminding public representatives at grass roots level, village head, VLWs, Nambardars and Chowkidars of their responsibilitie towards people, Mr Azad asked them to be part of the programme and make honest and perfect assessment of the losses area-wise.

''We have to ensure that every affected is enlisted for help and not allow anyone to take advantage of the situation,'' he said.

He asked them to give list of affected people with damages to crops, livestock and property to concerned tehsildars and damage assessing authorities.

Giving guidelines for preparing the estimates of losses, Mr Azad said a two-pronged strategy should be adopted envisaging immediate and medium relief, adding that besides short term measures, long term measures were needed to avoid flood damages in future.

Saying that Jammu and Kashmir had a long histroy of being hit by floods claiming lives and damaging proerty, he said that fool-proof policy planning taking care of every aspect of flood protection is the need of the hour and concerned departments in consultation with experts should come up with a strategy to this effect.

UNI BAS SAM RK1335