Residents of Niki Tawi demand diversion of flood water

Jammu, Jul 26 Lodging a strong protest, residents of villages residing along the banks of Niki Tawi criticised Jammu and Kashmir government for not paying heed to the worsening flood situation in the area. Diversion of river water to construct artificial lake has added to the worries of the villagers residing along the banks of River Tawi here. Most of the water of Tawi river has been diverted towards Nikki Tawi area, thus posing threat to lives and agricultural land, particularly in ensuing rainy season, Paramjit Singh, a local resident here said. ‘’The artificial ‘Lake Project’ over River Tawi has been designed on the directions of the politicians having ‘vested interests’ following which flow of the water was diverted to Nikki Tawi,’’ Paramjit Singh alleged. The flood water every year destroys thousand Kanals of fertile land and the standing crops causing huge loss to the poor farmers, he said. ‘’If the flood water is not diverted to the main river, there is apprehension that dozens of villages will witness massive flood and the government will be responsible for the loss of lives and property,'' the villager alleged. He also blamed some of the politicians for encroaching upon the land adjoining river banks, and diverting water which is also one of the major causes of rising threat to flood-like situation if water lever swells in the river. UNI