Srinagar, Nov 22 (ANI): The irrigation and flood control department in Jammu and Kashmir started a dredging drive in River Jhelum, which overflowed in September and flooded the region, killing hundreds and marooning villages. Hundreds of people were killed and thousands of villages were devastated by the worst flooding in decades in the Kashmir valley. Roads in Srinagar, Kashmir's main city, were transformed into stagnant canals strewn with wreckage, trash and dead animals. Hospitals were also flooded when the Jhelum River burst its banks and staff scattered around the city were unable to get to work. On Saturday chief engineer of irrigation and flood control department, Javed Jaffar, said that around 35000 cusecs of water also has to be discharged from the river during the dredging drive in order to widen and deepen it by desilting. Meanwhile, a resident Ibrahim Junaid hailed state government's efforts, saying the drive will deepen and widen the river.