Friday, March 29, 2024
 
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Flood devastation in Kashmir and the task of reconstruction


By M.Y.G.Nairang in Srinagar


Kashmir, the paradise on earth is a bowl shaped valley. It is 125 k.m. long and 75 k.m. wide. It starts from Qazigund in the south and ends at Khaden yaar, Baramullah in the north. Latest geological evidence has strengthened the legend that the world famous valley of Kashmir was once an inland sea.


At present the valley, covered with snow caped high mountains, has just one outlet for all the water, drained by river Jehlum, the only major river of the valley. The outlet at Khaden yaar, Baramullah is narrow and cannot drain the river if valley receives heavy rains for more than 48 hours. History tells us that during the reign of Raja Avanti Verman, about 1200 years back, when the valley was devastated by the recurrent floods, the river was dredged and widened at Khaden yaar.



Walter Lawrence, the author of the well documented and authentic book, the Valley of Kashmir has described Kashmir floods an economic disaster and a great challenge for the rulers. The largest and the most destructive flood of modern times is said to have occurred in 1902 A.D. but the present flood which resulted in death, untold miseries and huge devastation can easily be called unprecedented and the worst in living memory.



HOW AND WHEN THE FLOOD OCCURRED



Rains began on 02 September and continued for five days. All the mountain streams, nallahs and rivulets broke through the banks, washing away the land, trees, houses, orchards, crops and live stock. The water poured into Jehlum which swelled, over-flowed its embankments and finally breached the bunds and dykes and flowed freely through habitations including the capital city of Srinagar. Within one day, most of Srinagar including the areas housing government offices, Secretariat, High Court, Hospitals, Police Control rooms, Fire and Emergency Services. Flood Control Department and Disaster Management Cell was in five to ten feet deep water.

Transport, telecommunication network power and drinking water supply were badly affected and rendered non-functional. In the low lying posh colonies of the city about seven lakh people were marooned. They were crying from roof tops for help while the water was rising and houses collapsing. The government machinery, its Disaster Management Cell and Flood Control Department—all were in disarray and unable to deliver. It was the army, NDRF and the local volunteers who came to the rescue of the marooned and evacuated tens of thousands of people to safer places. The civil society and the public at large living in the uninundated areas showed great solidarity, courage and sense of sacrifice by setting up relief camps, community kitchens and by providing clothes and temporary shelters to the affected population. Compared with the proportion of the calamity, the loss of life is minimal due to rescue operations by the civil volunteers, forces and other agencies but the challenges of rehabilitation and relief are great and the task ahead is very hard.


Even after 16 days, more than two lakh people in Srinagar continue to remain out of their homes as their colonies are still submerged. Lal Chowk, the main square and commercial hub of the capital city looks deserted and life, which used to be brisk and busy in September remains paralyzed. Helplessness is writ large on the faces of people who fear outbreak of diseases like cholera, typhoid and Hepatitis. Food items, medicines and other essential commodities are scarce and costly. Cell phone companies have still not been able to restore their services, internet facility remains disrupted and almost all the banks are not able to function normally for want of this facility.


A number of villages in South Kashmir’s Kulgam, Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag districts, have been totally washed away, while vast tracts of land under fruit, paddy and other crops have been denuded. The floods, hail storm, heavy rains and untimely cold wave have destroyed the standing crops on a very large scale. In some areas, farmers have suffered 100 per cent losses and wait for relief eagerly.

In Jammu region, the flood fury killed nearly 200 people and caused havoc in Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts. The devastation in Jammu was mainly due to flash floods, landslides and cloud bursts. The area was however saved from water logging due to its topography. Relief work by various agencies is going on there also though one’s heart sinks when one sees the face of an old man who lost all the 12 members of his family. Same feelings pierce our heart when we meet the relatives of a bride and groom whose wedding bus was washed off killing all the 60 members of the marriage party in Rajouri.



RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION


While discussions are going on as to what caused these unprecedented floods and whether Srinagar, the Capital city could have been saved, the rational approach at present is to focus on the reconstruction of the devastated infrastructure, providing immediate relief to the sufferers and preparing a comprehensive rehabilitation plan. In addition, a master plan for the prevention of floods of such devastating proportion has to be formulated on priority. This is worth a high investment, keeping in view the loss of life, colossal damages to land, property and infrastructure. The implementation of a great master plan may not stop major floods to occur; it will certainly help in the flood management and will largely minimize the loss.

After providing immediate relief to the affected, the top administration which is still in shambles has to be revamped and made fully functional. Communication has to be restored and losses assessed. Rehabilitation process cannot take off with a sick administration and absence of active governance. The initial estimates indicate that Kashmir valley alone has suffered a loss of Rs. one lakh crore. The reconstruction work should be taken up on national level and the whole country should stand united behind the people of J&K to face this tragedy and instill in them resilience and hope. While Govt.of India, the developed states, corporate houses, major NGOs and rich philanthropists should come forward and donate generously. The state government should show its resolve, efficiency and uprightness in utilizing the relief and rehabilitation funds in such a fool proof manner that the funds reach the affected and every penny is spent on reconstruction and rehabilitation only. As it often happens, there should be no siphoning off or misusing of the money which is being contributed by the well meaning and the conscientious individuals and organizations.


(Opinions expressed in write-ups/articles/Letters are the sole responsibility of the authors and they may not represent the scoopnews.in)


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