Kullan residents demand bridge, protection wall

The residents of Shah Mohalla Kullan in Tehsil Gund of Ganderbal district have demanded construction of a bridge in the area which will prevent them from damage caused by frequent flooding.

They said that flash floods in the nallah snaking through Shah Mohalla Kullan occur frequently due to a possible cloud burst during rainfall every year causing damage to the nearby residential houses and fields.

The flash floods also result in the closure of Srinagar-Leh highway near Kullan due to which traffic remains suspended on both sides of the highway causing hardships to the people. The families who are living nearby localities where flash floods occur have urged the district administration to construct a bridge at the place besides construction of a concrete protection wall alongside the nallah prone to flash floods.

"We have been suffering for several years now. Whenever there are rains the nallah flowing alongside Shah Mohallah kullan is flooded," said Irfan Ahmed, a local resident.

He said that a culvert constructed here gets blocked by the rocks and trees uprooted by flash floods and the water overflows and enters nearby houses causing massive damage to the property.

Besides, there always remains a threat to life. Another local said that they have many times urged administration to excavate boulders from nallah so that its width and depth is increased and water carrying capacity is increased.