Tawi Welfare Society Calls for Permanent Flood-Mitigation Measures at Community Health Centre, Sohanjana Before Peak Monsoon

Jammu, July 9: Tawi Welfare Society has expressed serious concern over the recent flooding of the Community Health Centre (CHC), Sohanjana, and has urged the concerned authorities to take immediate and permanent measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

During the moderate rainfall on the night of 5th July, rainwater entered the hospital premises due to overflowing drains and inadequate drainage, inundating several important sections of the hospital, including the Office of the Block Medical Officer, patient wards, laboratories, consultation rooms, pharmacy and administrative offices. The filthy water from the drains also caused a foul smell and posed a risk of diseases, while the stagnant water raised concerns about snakes entering the hospital premises. The incident temporarily disrupted the functioning of the hospital, which provides essential healthcare services to nearly 60 villages with a population of more than one lakh.

The Society placed on record its sincere appreciation for the outstanding dedication displayed by the doctors, nursing staff, paramedical personnel, hospital employees and local residents. Through their collective efforts, the accumulated water was removed promptly, essential services were restored and the hospital resumed normal functioning within a short period. Their commitment to public service under difficult circumstances deserves the highest appreciation. However, the Society emphasised that while the immediate crisis has been successfully managed, the underlying cause of the problem still remains unresolved. The recent incident should be viewed as a serious warning rather than an isolated occurrence. The rainy season has only just begun and the peak monsoon period is still ahead. If permanent preventive measures are not undertaken immediately, there is every possibility that the hospital may again face flooding during heavier rainfall, causing disruption to healthcare services and exposing patients, attendants, doctors and hospital infrastructure to unnecessary hardship and risk. The Society observed that over the years the level of the hospital premises has gradually become lower than the adjoining roadside, allowing rainwater to naturally flow into the hospital compound during rainfall. This recurring problem requires a permanent engineering solution rather than temporary remedial measures after every episode of waterlogging.

Tawi Welfare Society has therefore appealed to the concerned authorities to undertake a comprehensive technical assessment of the site and implement long-term flood-mitigation measures without delay. These may include raising the level of the hospital premises wherever technically feasible, strengthening and remodelling the drainage system, ensuring efficient storm-water disposal and adopting all other scientifically appropriate engineering interventions required to permanently prevent the entry of rainwater into the hospital premises.

The Society expressed confidence that the Government and the concerned departments will treat the matter with the urgency it deserves and take timely action before the peak rainy season sets in. Such proactive measures will not only safeguard a vital public healthcare institution but will also ensure uninterrupted medical services for thousands of residents of the Tawi Island Area and surrounding villages.