Residents Allege Negligence, Demand Accountability
Ganderbal, June 14: Panic gripped Reshipora village in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district early Sunday morning after the historic Padshahi Canal overflowed, inundating residential areas, agricultural land and public causing extensive damage to livelihoods.
According to local residents, the flooding occurred around 5:00 AM when a breach and overflow in the canal led to water gushing into nearby homes, paddy fields and public spaces. The incident forced locals to rush out of their houses as water entered residential compounds and damaged household belongings.
Local resident Muhammad Ishraf Baba alleged that the concerned departments had been repeatedly informed about leakages and vulnerable spots along the canal but no preventive measures were taken. He said the issue had been brought to the notice of the Irrigation and Flood Control authorities on several occasions, warning them about weak sections of the canal that required urgent repairs.
“We informed the department well in advance about leakages in several locations. Had timely repairs been carried out, this situation could have been avoided,” he said.
Residents claimed that floodwater entered homes, contaminated wells and damaged household items, including kitchen equipment, books and other essential belongings. They also alleged that a public park developed at a cost of nearly ₹70 lakh suffered damage due to the flooding.
Locals expressed concern that the overflow could have even more serious consequences if nearby vulnerable sections, including those around the power canal, are not strengthened immediately. They urged the administration, elected representatives and concerned departments to fix weak stretches of the canal and compensate affected families.
Meanwhile, personnel from Ganderbal Police, emergency services and other concerned departments reached the affected area and initiated assessment and mitigation measures. Officials were seen monitoring the situation and working to divert water from inundated areas.
Local political worker Usman Yaqoob said that authorities had been present at the site since the morning and efforts were underway to restore normalcy. He said the focus was on clearing waterlogged agricultural fields and ensuring that irrigation supplies to farmers are restored without delay.
Later, former MLA Ganderbal and founder of JKUM, Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar, visited the affected area and interacted with residents. He said the overflow and subsequent blockage had caused significant damage to agricultural land and residential properties.
Jabbar expressed concern over the condition of the Padshahi Canal, alleging that proper desilting had not been carried out this year. He said several vulnerable locations along the canal continue to pose a serious threat to nearby habitations and farmlands.
He urged the Irrigation and Flood Control Department to immediately deploy machinery and undertake restoration works to prevent further damage. He also called for a comprehensive survey of weak spots along the canal and preparation of estimates for strengthening and repair works.
The former legislator said he would take up the matter with the district administration and government authorities, seeking compensation for affected families and farmers. He demanded that a joint team of Revenue and district officials be constituted to assess losses to houses, agricultural land and public infrastructure.
Residents have appealed to the government to provide immediate relief and ensure long-term measures to prevent recurring floods from the Padshahi Canal, warning that continued neglect could result in even greater losses in the future.
