Cry for Help
By: Er Navaid Ahmed
The remote valley of Pogal–Paristan, nestled in the mountains of Ramban district, is one of Jammu & Kashmir’s most beautiful but also most vulnerable regions. Known for its lush meadows, gushing streams, and hospitable people, Pogal–Paristan is today grappling with tragedy.
Torrential rains, flash floods, and landslides have left behind scenes of devastation—broken homes, displaced families, damaged farmlands, and shattered hopes.
The people here, long accustomed to hardship, have reached a breaking point. Their voices now echo with a single plea: “Government must come forward with real help before it’s too late.”
While speaking to locals in Maligam, their pain was impossible to ignore. A young man, whose house had collapsed in the floods, told me with tears in his eyes, “We built this home with our blood and sweat over 15 years, and now in one night, everything is gone. Where will my children sleep? Who will help us?” An elderly woman nearby added, “We are not asking for much, only for the government to see our suffering and stand with us.” Their words carried both despair and hope, a reminder that behind every damaged wall lies a story of a struggling family waiting for relief.
A Valley under siege by weather
For the people of Pogal–Paristan, weather has always been unpredictable. Winters bury villages in snow, summers bring scorching sun, and monsoons test the strength of the land with rain and storms. But this year, the situation has been far more severe. Heavy downpours triggered flash floods that swept through villages, cracking walls, collapsing houses, and destroying everything families had built with years of hard labor.
Fields of maize and vegetables—vital for survival in these remote hills—were washed away. Footpaths and kacha roads turned into streams of mud, cutting off access to markets and health centers. The young and the old alike watched helplessly as water and debris invaded their homes.
“Nature has turned against us,” said one resident, holding his child in his lap while pointing toward his broken house. “We are poor people. We don’t have savings or second homes. When one wall falls, it is like our entire life falls with it.”
Houses Reduced to Rubble
In village after village, homes lie in ruins. Some roofs have collapsed, some walls have given way, while others have developed dangerous cracks that make them unsafe to live in. Families, afraid of further collapse, are spending nights in the open or taking shelter in cowsheds.
Children sleep shivering in damp clothes, women try to cook whatever little food remains, and men spend restless nights trying to salvage wooden beams or tin sheets from the debris. Many families have lost all their household items—utensils, clothes, schoolbooks, and blankets—leaving them exposed and vulnerable.
“The government officials come, take photos, and leave,” said an elderly villager. “But what about us? Where do we go? How long can we survive like this?”
Livelihoods Destroyed
The people of Pogal–Paristan are largely dependent on agriculture, livestock, and small-scale horticulture. A majority live hand-to-mouth, depending on what they grow in their fields. This year, the floods destroyed acres of maize, beans, and vegetables. Landslides buried orchards under rocks and mud, killing apple and walnut trees that take years to grow.
For many, cattle are their lifeline. But floods swept away cows, goats, and sheep, further worsening the crisis. Without livestock, not only is food security threatened, but so too is the little income families relied upon.
Farmers fear that the next winter will be harsher than ever. With food stocks destroyed and fields unfit for immediate cultivation, hunger and poverty loom large.
Roads Cut Off, Villages Isolated
Pogal–Paristan is already one of the more remote areas of Ramban, with few motorable roads and fragile infrastructure. The recent rains have further crippled connectivity. Landslides blocked the main Pogal–Banihal road, while smaller link roads were either washed away or buried under debris.
For ordinary villagers, this isolation means no access to essential supplies. Trucks carrying ration, LPG, and medicines cannot reach, forcing people to survive on whatever little they had stored before the floods. Pregnant women, patients, and schoolchildren are the worst affected, as they cannot travel easily to hospitals or schools.
“We are cut off from the rest of the world,” said a young teacher. “When disaster strikes in Jammu or Srinagar, relief arrives quickly. But here, in Pogal–Paristan, it feels like we have been forgotten.”
A Cry for Government Help
The people of Pogal–Paristan are not asking for luxuries—they are asking for survival. Their demands are simple yet urgent:
- Immediate Relief – Distribution of tents, blankets, ration kits, medicines, and drinking water for affected families.
- Rehabilitation Support – Financial compensation for houses that have collapsed or developed cracks, and restoration of agricultural fields.
- Restoration of Roads – Clearing of landslides and rebuilding of damaged rural roads to ensure access to markets and hospitals.
- Livelihood Assistance – Compensation for loss of crops and livestock, along with support for replanting orchards.
- Long-Term Planning – Building of strong flood-control systems, retaining walls, and better drainage to prevent similar disasters in the future.
“Relief should not be just promises in newspapers,” said a group of youth leaders. “We need real action—teams on the ground, money in the hands of poor families, and quick rebuilding. Otherwise, Pogal–Paristan will sink further into despair.”
The Human Pain behind the Statistics
Numbers can never capture the pain of a child crying because his schoolbag was swept away, or an old woman staring at the remains of her home where generations once lived. Families that spent years saving money to build even a modest house are now back to zero.
What hurts people the most is the feeling of abandonment. When floods hit urban centers like Jammu or Srinagar, relief arrives quickly. But for remote valleys like Pogal–Paristan, help is delayed or diluted by bureaucracy. This has created a deep sense of alienation and frustration.
“We are citizens too. We vote, we pay taxes, we send our children to defend the country. Why are we left alone when disaster strikes?” asked a grieving father who lost his cattle in the flood.
Community Resilience: Standing Together
Amidst all the suffering, the spirit of community shines through. Neighbors are helping neighbors, sharing food, clothing, and shelter. Youth volunteers are clearing debris, repairing broken paths, and comforting children. Women’s groups are pooling resources to cook meals for displaced families.
This resilience keeps Pogal–Paristan alive, but community strength cannot replace government responsibility. The people have done their part—it is time for authorities to step up and provide structured, long-term support.
A Plea to Authorities
The people of Pogal–Paristan are making an emotional appeal to the government of Jammu & Kashmir and to New Delhi:
- Send immediate relief teams to assess and act, not just survey and leave.
- Provide fair compensation for damaged homes, fields, and livestock.
- Ensure transparency so that aid reaches the poorest families and not just the influential.
- Prioritize Pogal–Paristan in disaster management planning, recognizing its geographical vulnerability.
The valley does not ask for charity—it asks for justice. It asks for recognition that the people of Pogal–Paristan are equal citizens who deserve dignity and security.
Conclusion: Will Their Voice Be Heard?
Pogal–Paristan, with its scenic beauty and simple people, has silently borne the brunt of nature’s fury. But silence can no longer be an option. Today, its people are raising their voices in desperation, calling on the government to hear their cries.
Houses are in ruins, fields lie barren, and families are struggling to survive. If urgent action is not taken, the damage will not just be physical—it will be psychological, breaking the faith of people in the system meant to protect them.
The message is clear: “We are suffering. We are calling for help. Do not ignore Pogal–Paristan.”
The government must respond, not tomorrow, not next month, but now.
(The author is a geotechnical engineer from Marnal Maligam, Ramban)
