Srinagar, April 11: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has flagged gaps in flood management and water body maintenance in the Jhelum basin, including issues linked to the Wular Lake system, pointing to delays in key works and weak institutional coordination.
The audit examined flood control and river management measures implemented after the 2014 floods and highlighted shortcomings in the execution of dredging and desilting works along the Jhelum river.
According to the report, progress on dredging operations remained below targets, affecting the capacity of the river system to manage high water discharge during peak flow periods.
The audit also pointed to issues in planning and implementation of flood control projects, including delays in execution and gaps between approved works and actual progress on the ground.
Encroachments along floodplains and wetland areas were identified as another concern, with the report noting inadequate enforcement and their impact on natural water retention systems connected to the Jhelum and Wular lake.
The CAG further highlighted coordination gaps among multiple departments involved in water resource management, indicating the absence of a single accountable mechanism to oversee integrated flood control efforts.
The observations assume significance in the context of recurring concerns over flood preparedness and ecological management in the Kashmir valley’s river and wetland systems. [KNT]
