Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed - PDMA

irrigation structures to analyse and use during pre-flood [pre-Abkalani period in
Sindh] to ensure review of ground conditions after every flood and then
undertake urgent works and keep prepared for remedial measures in
contingency, expected and unforeseen, during and after the flood seasons. The
Irrigation Secretaries/ officials who had dilated upon existence or otherwise and
observance of the SOPs where applicable, the level of pre-flood action plans
under which joint civil-military surveys are conducted to assess the state of the
bunds, and departmental preparedness in responding to the impending
challenges to their respective structures including stocking of necessary
materials and equipments, actions taken before, during and after the floods and
on-ground work of six-tiers of provincial Irrigation officials in close coordination
with the armed forces and civil armed-force contingents in their respective
jurisdictions, both with reference to specific formulations and generally, as well.
However, it was noted that:-
a) The KP floods were admittedly caused by flash floods generated by
unusually heavy precipitations. Further, KP Government affirmed
that it did not have/ need any flood related SOPs for its irrigation
structures as none was designed for the purpose. True, that no
one accused that government of negligence at pre-flood stage or
any manipulation of irrigation facilities, yet the extent of loss
justified revisiting the existing arrangements for benefit, say for
removal of encroachments from river beds and areas around, for
creating escape channels and mega storage facilities as noted in
the D.I. Khan areas. The conditions in KP, did not indicate even
remotely that until major reservoirs like Munda were constructed,
any official or department could have prevented the 2010 type
damage. The Commission learnt the benefits of Irrigation Minister’s
initiative to personally steer the entire Rescue and Relief operations
as also measures for time-bound restoration of irrigation supplies
for 2010-11 Rabi crop, by setting up a camp-office at Nowshehra.
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