Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to urgently raise the issue of unutilized flood management funds with the Central government. Speaking to reporters after visiting flood-ravaged areas in Bijbehara, Anantnag district, Mufti emphasized the need for immediate action to safeguard lives and properties, particularly through dredging and maintenance of the River Jhelum.

Mufti highlighted that Rs 1,630 crore, sanctioned under the Prime Minister’s package for River Jhelum following the devastating 2014 floods, remains unutilized. Additionally, she pointed out that a Rs 1,500 crore World Bank loan for post-2014 flood reconstruction and recovery efforts has not been fully implemented. “Dredging in Jhelum and Tawi rivers was to be undertaken to safeguard people from future floods,” she stated, urging Abdullah to prioritize these incomplete projects to prevent future calamities.

Expressing concern over the potential for worse disasters, Mufti stressed the importance of proactive measures like erecting bunds, dredging, and desilting water bodies to protect residents and their crops. “Next time, the situation could be much worse and cause more losses,” she warned. Her visit to the affected areas underscored her solidarity with flood victims and her commitment to advocating for robust flood management strategies in the Union Territory.

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Mufti’s appeal underscores the critical need for accountability and swift action to utilize sanctioned funds, ensuring Jammu and Kashmir is better prepared for future flooding risks.

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