Awantipora, September 10: The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) today inaugurated a two-day Training and Capacity Building Workshop on “Integrated Water Management and Flood Risk Reduction.” The programme is being jointly organized by the Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction (CDRR), the Department of Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change, and the Department of Planning and Geomatics at IUST, in collaboration with the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DDMRRR), Government of J&K. About 60 officials from different J&K government departments, along with academics, researchers, experts, and students, are participating.
The inaugural session was graced by Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of J&K as Chief Guest, Prof. Shakil A Romshoo, Vice Chancellor IUST, Dr. Muzaffar Ahmad, former member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as Guest of Honour, and Ms. Snowber Jameel (JKAS), Deputy Secretary DDMRRR as Special Guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Nasir Aslam Wani underlined the urgency of effective water management and flood preparedness in J&K. He said that workshops like this at IUST are extremely relevant and timely, and commended IUST for taking the lead in the sensitization of the stakeholders.
Prof. Shakil A Romshoo, Vice Chancellor IUST, stressed the strong connection between climate change and the increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events. “At IUST, we are committed to research and capacity building on issues that directly impact our communities. This workshop is part of our larger effort to support government agencies and empower local communities with knowledge for resilience,” he noted.
In his keynote address, Dr. Muzaffar Ahmad observed that floods have historically impacted Kashmir since the 7th century, with siltation and wetland encroachment worsening the problem. He urged participants to learn from the 2014 floods and integrate traditional water management practices with modern approaches. Ms. Snowber Jameel congratulated IUST for hosting the workshop series and remarked, “It is for the first time that DDMRRR has included such workshops in its annual calendar. IUST’s initiative is a significant contribution to strengthening disaster preparedness in J&K.”
Over the course of two days, the workshop will include technical sessions, expert talks, and hands-on training on hydrological modelling, urban flood management, geospatial technologies, climate change impacts on water resources, and community-based disaster preparedness. By bringing together government officials, experts, researchers, and practitioners, IUST aims to develop collaborative strategies for sustainable water management and build a culture of resilience in the Himalayan region.
