Clogging will cause flood!
RC Sharma Chanakya
Jammu, Jun 11: The rainy season is coming near with each passing day as Monsoon are to reach in Jammu & Kashmir timely and a good rain is expected in this year. Whereas, the people are happy to have rainy season but on the other hand they are worried about flood would be caused due to rain and it will damage the properties of the people as in past people have faced the bitter experiences of braving flood in small lanes and water entered their houses damaging their goods.
As the monsoon season approaches, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) is under heavy criticism for its insufficient attention to lane cleaning and overall flood preparedness. Despite last year’s severe flooding, which saw water entering numerous homes and causing significant damage within Jammu City, the JMC’s current measures seem inadequate to prevent a similar disaster this year.
Residents are increasingly worried as the JMC’s efforts have primarily focused on cleaning major roads with mechanical road sweeping machines, neglecting the crucial residential lanes where blockages can lead to severe flooding. The lack of comprehensive cleaning is causing widespread concern among the populace about potential flood damage to their homes.
Last year’s flooding resulted in extensive property damage, prompting residents to demand that the JMC take immediate and robust action to avoid a repeat scenario. Many citizens are urging the JMC to work on a war footing to ensure that all lanes are thoroughly cleaned and that drainage systems are unclogged before the heavy rains begin.
A significant issue contributing to the blockage of water flow in residential areas is the prevalence of polythene bags, which are known to clog drainage systems and exacerbate flooding. Despite ongoing efforts to manage waste, the JMC’s current strategies have not adequately addressed this specific problem, leading to heightened concerns among the city’s residents.
The JMC has to prepare itself as proactive as the prevalent performances of JMC is totally inadequate to avert flood raising process in the small streets and lanes in the part of congested city, where the drainage system is already inadequate and clogging of drains often noticed. Now the JMC has to double its efforts to clean drains but it seems that JMC is not in that mood.
Despite recent administrative reforms aimed at improving efficiency within the JMC, including the creation of dedicated wings for sanitation and solid waste management, the practical impact on ground-level monsoon preparations appears limited. With inadequate resources and attention directed towards thorough pre-monsoon lane cleaning, the city remains vulnerable to flooding risks.
