Sir,
In reference to an article titled “Factors Behind Flood Fury” which appeared in the Daily Excelsior on Sunday, September 14, 2014 by Dr. Nater Singh.
The author has rightly written that there are a number of factors responsible for causing heavy floods during incessant rains. These include deforestation, overgrazing of the pastures, topographic features etc. However, it is worthwhile to mention that in Jammu region of the State during 1950, due to continuous rains for about a week, there was a high flood in the river Tawi which does not stand stated in the aforesaid article. The flood was so furious that the water overflowed the banks and inundated Gumat Bazar. Not only this a number of border villages like Thub, Chargali, Saundawn, and many others were washed away. The heavy rains were again witnessed in 1957, while the author was a student of 9th class in Hari Singh School Jammu. There was every apprehension of washing away of the only one of the old Tawi bridge. Creation of timely outlet by breaking left bank end of the bridges saved it. A military bridge was erected which remained in operation for a number of months. Incessant rains on the night of September 9 and 10, 1992 to the extent of 150mm in a span of less than 24 hours caused heavy floods in the rivers Tawi and Chenab. These floods also played havoc with the life and property of the people in the Jammu region. The flood caused a great loss to human life as well as the agricultural sector as crops worth Rs. 88.83 crores were destroyed by heavy floods.
Yours etc…..
Prof (Dr) R.D. Gupta,
Former Associate Dean cum Chief Scientist, (KVK), SKUAST, J
258-C, Sainik Colony, Jammu.
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