PDP demands inquiry into J&K's flood management

Opposition PDP today demanded a high-level inquiry into the management of recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir saying it needs to be conclusively established whether every effort was made to save the summer capital and other areas from the deluge.
"The sequence of events would suggest that the centuries-old established procedure was not followed fully which could have contributed to the catastrophe. Inquiry is unavoidable to prevent dereliction of duty in future if that is established," PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said addressing party meeting here.
"It needs to be conclusively established whether every effort was made to save Srinagar and other areas from the deluge," he added.

Sayeed said there is an impression that the "established flood control practices were not followed" which could be the reason for widespread destruction of the capital city.
The former chief minister alleged that the flood had resulted in complete collapse of the command and control system besides hitting the jugular vein of Kashmir's economy.
He said the focus of the flood control strategy in Kashmir has always been the prime concern for the safety of capital as any damage to the seat of power and hub of business affects entire state.
He alleged that such an event having taken place in spite of advance warnings and a week-long rise in water levels indicates criminal negligence in meeting the challenge which calls for fixing of responsibility for such a costly failure that has taken lives, properties, businesses, official and personal records and public infrastructure.