JK floods: Par panel shocked over absence of Flood Forecasting

A Parliamentary Panel today expressed shock over absence of Flood Forecasting sites in Jammu and Kashmir, which was hit by unprecedented floods this year, and recommended setting up of a network of such observation centres in the state by Central Water Commission.
In its report presented in Parliament today, the Standing Committee on Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation said that like rest of the country Flood Forecasting networks should be set up in the state.
The report noted that CWC was operating 11 hydrological observation sites in Chenab and five sites in Jhelum to collect data for water resources planning purposes, but it was not maintaining Flood Forecasting sites in the state.

Queried by the committee on whether CWC issued any flood warning to Jammu and Kashmir government, the ministry replied that CWC was not maintaining Flood Forecasting network in the state and no hydrological forecast was issued by CWC to the state government for 2014 flood in the state.
"The committee is shocked to note that no flood forecasting site is being maintained by CWC in Jammu and Kashmir," the report said, while strongly recommending the ministry to initiate "urgent action" for setting up Flood Forecasting networks in the state as done in the rest of the country to avoid any mishappening in future.

The Committee also recommended the ministry of water resources to undertake a comprehensive study of the entire flood-related scenario in the area within the next six months.
JK experienced heavy to very heavy rainfall between September 3 and 7 resulting in widespread flooding in different parts of the state.
As per the report, which cites IMD records, the average rainfall in the drainage area of Jhelum river upto Srinagar was about 303 mm. The rainfall was about 320 per cent more than the maximum monthly normal of the monsoon months, the report added.