Floods acted as reminder
Jammu and Kashmir witnessed an environmental crisis once again as floods are wreaking havoc across the length and breadth of the region. Jammu as well as Kashmir regions witnessed huge devastations and even human loses.
The abrupt rise in the water level in various river streams in Kashmir valley led to a huge swell in water levels with people fearing another flood like situation. The situation in Jammu too remains critical even though the water levels in Tawi and other rivers spread across districts is receding.
The latest crisis has again acted as a grim reminder for us. The lessons need to be learned and actions ensured so that some damage control mechanism is put in place so that the future becomes less troublesome for us.
Jammu region witnessed severe crisis after two devastating cloudbursts and record-breaking rainfall this month left rivers swollen and slopes destabilised. The continuous downpours have pushed streams and rivers above danger marks, prompting red alerts for flash floods and landslides across the region.
Just yesterday, Jammu City logged 190.4 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours — the second-highest August downpour in nearly a century. The intensity of rainfall in Jammu showed no typical monsoon behaviour. Cloud systems released extraordinary volumes of rain in just a few hours, which overwhelmed rivers and drainage systems.
Environmentalists warn that fragile Himalayan slopes have been further destabilised by unchecked construction and deforestation. Besides, rising temperatures are fuelling extreme rainfall, but deforestation, riverbank encroachments and illegal mining have stripped the region of its natural safeguards. That is why a severe downpour now carries the risk of disaster.
Notably, the danger is compounded by poor river management. Rivers like Chenab and Tawi have lost much of their natural floodplain due to encroachments. When water has no space to spread, it surges with destructive force downstream washing with it whatever comes in its way.
The situation turned so critical that Jammu most of the city reas in Jammu witnessed deluge and financial loses.
The situation proved no different in Kashmir where the southern districts bore the brunt of the swell in Lidder Nallah and Jhelum River.
With memories of the 2014 Kashmir floods still haunting people, residents in low-lying areas braced up for what could have become one of the most severe weather events in recent years.
Though the weather showed some improvements which led to the situation coming under control. However, experts agree that the only long-term safeguard lies in restoring natural ecosystems, strengthening flood preparedness, and regulating reckless construction in the fragile Himalayas.
This applies to Jammu and the Kashmir region where all stakeholders have done very little to conserve the environment.
