Posted on June 11, 2015
After the devastating floods that killed hundreds of people in September 2014, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have begun manual dredging in Sindh River to maintain water levels. Dredging is an excavation activity or operation usually carried out at least partly underwater, in shallow seas or fresh water areas with the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and disposing them at a different location. Javed Jaffer, Chief Engineer of state’s irrigation and flood control department, said the present round of dredging in Ganderbal district would help increase the capacity of the river, thereby reducing the chances of flooding. He said that machine and manual dredging is on in full swing in several other rivers and water bodies. This process ensures the safety of the people, he added. Residents, meanwhile, welcomed the government’s move.