JAMMU: Under the World Bank funded Jhelum Tawi Flood Recovery Project J&K Economic Reconstruction Agency organized a one day workshop on “Feasibility and DPR for flood mitigation and comprehensive river management measures for Tawi Basin” at hotel Radisson Blu today. Senior officials of all stakeholder departments were invited in the workshop to provide a common platform for exchange of views and expertise.
Chief Guest on the occasion Sh. K.K Sharma Hon’ble Advisor to Hon’ble Governor emphasized on the need for better coordination between the various line department and laid stress on data sharing amongst concerned agencies for better outcome of the project. He said that these studies should help in forming basis for perspective planning by the concerned departments as River Tawi is an important lifeline of the region.
Sh. Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary to Government who was Guest of Honour on the occasion said that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, with the technical and financial support of World Bank, formulated the JTFRP for reconstruction and future flood mitigation activities after the September 2014 flood. As Floods are among J&K's most common and most destructive natural hazard he laid stress on the development of an integrated flood management system.
The workshop was part of component five of Jehlum Tawi Flood Recovery Project funded by the World Bank. CEO ERA Dr. Raghav Langer in his key note address said that the objective of project is to support the recovery and increase disaster resilience in targeted areas of the state, and increase the capacity of the State entities to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency.
The objective of consultancy assignment is to conduct River morphology study for the Tawi river basin in integrated and holistic manner. The scope is to develop a hydro dynamic model for River Tawi in Jammu region that will lead to a live and robust flood forecasting and Real Time Data Acquisition system for river Tawi. This would be part of the Decision support system being developed for the state under JTFRP. Mr. Dilip K Gautam, Team Leader of the joint venture consultancy apprised the gathering that the assignment includes the planning and design of innovative and effective measures, aiming to manage flows through river channels works and enhancement of the effective flood risk management to reduce the incidence of severe floods and provide protection to people, houses, public infrastructure, and agricultural land in Tawi river basin. This initiative is consistent with the Governments and World Bank priorities for enhancing climate resilience, ensuring food security and promoting inclusive economic growth.
The key experts from Aqualogus and Oiltech Engineering consultants also made PowerPoint presentations on various topics. Vote of thanks was given by Iftikar Ahmad Hakim, Director Planning and Coordination, JTFRP. The workshop was attended by the senior officials of PHED, Irrigation & Flood Control, Disaster Management Department, Town Planning Department, UEED, Directorate of Design & Quality Control, JDA, IMD, Central Water Commission, National Institute of Hydrology, Ravi Tawi Irrigation Complex, ERA etc.