by Er Mohammad Lateef Ganai (Geotechnical Engineering Expert), Er Suhail Ahmad Khanday (Civil Engineering Expert), and Mir Basit Hassan
Out of a total target of 16 lakh cubic metres, only 8.23 lakh cubic metres of silt have been removed so far. The limited progress has been attributed to administrative indifference, shortage of equipment, and insufficient infrastructure.
Jhelum, the only major river in the Kashmir Valley, has long served as its lifeline. Known as Vitasta in the Rigveda and referred to as Hydaspes by the ancient Greeks, the river derives its name from the words jal, meaning pure water, and ham, meaning snow. The name alludes to the snow-fed waters flowing beside the city, originating from the surrounding mountain ranges.
The river begins at the Verinag spring, located at the base of the Pir Panjal range in the southeastern part of the valley. Several tributaries join it along its course: the Lidder at Khanabal in Anantnag, the Rambiara at Sangam, and the Sind at Shadipora. In addition, many smaller streams and glacier-fed channels converge into the river at various points.
Historically, the Jhelum provided clean water and was central to the region’s transport network before the advent of mechanised travel. It functioned as the principal artery of movement and sustenance. Despite its centrality, the river has suffered from prolonged neglect. Conservation efforts have remained inadequate in comparison to their ecological and historical significance.
Jhelum Then and Now
Roughly a century or two ago, the Jhelum presented an entirely different picture. It was regarded with reverence and linked Kashmir with West Asia. Its waters were clean enough for consumption and domestic use, and the river itself was navigable. People frequently travelled between South, Central, and North Kashmir using the river as their primary route.
In terms of hydrology, the river was wider and flanked by expansive floodplains. Human settlements along its banks were minimal. The quality of water was significantly higher, as it carried fewer sediments and pollutants. This meant that siltation, a key factor in river degradation, was far less severe.
Over time, however, the valley’s population grew rapidly, bringing with it an increased demand for housing and infrastructure. In the absence of scientific planning and sustainable development, agricultural lands, forests, and floodplains were converted into construction zones. The resulting environmental damage has been immense, with rivers, ponds, lakes, and wetlands bearing the brunt of unregulated expansion.
Current Condition of the Jhelum
The present state of the Jhelum bears little resemblance to its past. The floodplains, once natural reservoirs capable of absorbing surplus water, have been overtaken by residential colonies. Over the past five to six decades, large-scale construction has occurred along its banks. Roads and highways now run parallel to the river, further sealing the floodplains and rendering them impermeable.
The water of the Jhelum has become laden with sediments. This is the result of soil erosion, sewage discharge, and the dumping of waste and scrap materials. As the river’s velocity diminishes, these materials settle and form mounds along the bed and embankments. The accumulation of silt has drastically reduced the river’s capacity to carry water. According to recent studies conducted by the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Kashmir, the current carrying capacity of the Jhelum stands at 35,000 cusecs. Its flood channel, constructed in 1902, now carries just 5,000 cusecs. At the time of its construction, the channel had a design capacity of 17,000 cusecs. This reduction in capacity highlights the cumulative effect of siltation.
Encroachment and land reclamation have also diminished the surface area of wetlands and lakes by almost half over the past century. The Directorate of Environment, Ecology and Remote Sensing attributes widespread deforestation in the Jhelum basin to the excessive siltation of water bodies across Srinagar. The transformation in land and water use has been profound. Between 1911 and 2014, more than 9,119 hectares of open water and wetland surface were lost.
Why Dredging is Necessary
Ongoing deforestation throughout the Jhelum basin and its tributaries has led to substantial soil erosion. The resulting sediment load travels with the river until it is deposited along the bed and embankments, where gravitational force causes it to settle. These layers of silt reduce the river’s depth and disrupt its flow. Dredging is essential to remove these deposits and restore the river’s natural profile.
Encroachment and infilling have significantly narrowed the river. With reduced width and depth, even moderate rainfall causes the Jhelum to overflow its banks, leading to flooding and waterlogging. Dredging can help to re-establish the river’s capacity to handle such events.
The Jhelum has traditionally been a source of sand used in construction. A regulated dredging process can meet this demand without causing further environmental degradation.
If properly dredged, the river may once again serve as a viable waterway for navigation, as it had done historically, connecting different parts of the valley through its once-navigable course.
After the September 2014 Floods
During the September 2014 floods, the Jhelum carried a discharge of 1,20,000 cusecs, while its current capacity stood at only 35,000 cusecs. The result was widespread submergence across Kashmir. Roads and streets disappeared under water, and boats replaced vehicles in navigating urban areas. Both life and property suffered enormous losses. According to figures released by the state government, the overall damage amounted to nearly one trillion rupees. Of this, the housing sector accounted for 30,000 crore rupees, while the business sector reported losses of nearly 70,000 crore rupees. More than 2,500 villages were submerged. Approximately 2.53 lakh homes were damaged, and 5.5 lakh people were displaced.
The 2014 flood was not only a disaster but also a warning. It exposed vulnerabilities in the region’s water management systems. In the aftermath, the administration acknowledged the need to widen and deepen existing waterways. A dredging project was subsequently sanctioned to cover the Jhelum, its flood channel, and adjoining wetlands, which had been identified as major contributors to the severity of the flooding due to their constricted and choked condition.
The dredging operation was assigned to Reach Dredging & Ltd, a Kolkata-based private firm. However, only half the work has been completed. Out of a total target of 16 lakh cubic metres, only 8.23 lakh cubic metres of silt have been removed so far. The limited progress has been attributed to administrative indifference, shortage of equipment, and insufficient infrastructure.
Dredging began in the northern districts, including Baramulla and Uri. These locations were prioritised because clearing the river’s downstream segments facilitates faster outflow of water from the valley. If the outflow is obstructed, the Jhelum can rise rapidly and inundate large areas. This heightens the risk of recurrent flooding. The dredging work has been moving upstream, from Baramulla towards Srinagar and then Anantnag. The increased gradient of the riverbed, resulting from dredging, has also improved the speed of water flow.
Expert Recommendations
To mitigate future floods, several technical measures have been proposed. One suggestion is the construction of an alternate flood channel from Dogripora in south Kashmir to Wullar Lake, bypassing Srinagar. This would divert some of the flood discharge from the Sangam gauge station and protect surrounding areas from inundation.
Another recommendation is the improvement of the drainage system in urban centres along the Jhelum basin, including the revival of natural drains. Proper stormwater passage would reduce the likelihood of waterlogging. Treatment of sewage would reduce the sediment load entering the river, limiting the accumulation of silt. Dredging of wetlands is also advised, as it would restore their natural capacity to absorb floodwater. Afforestation in the catchment areas would reduce soil erosion and, consequently, siltation. Restricting encroachments along the riverbanks would enhance the natural seepage of floodwater into the soil.
Dredging remains a useful intervention, but it is not a permanent solution. Even if the Jhelum is fully dredged, its carrying capacity would rise to only 50,000 cusecs, with the flood channel accommodating a further 10,000 cusecs. This is insufficient to manage extreme flood events. Although dredging plays a significant role in reducing damage, it must be accompanied by urgent, long-term strategies to prevent a repeat of the 2014 disaster.
(Er Mohammad Lateef Ganai is a Geotechnical Engineering Expert, Er Suhail Ahmad Khanday is a Civil Engineering Expert and Mir Basit Hassan is an Engineer. Ideas are personal.)
