Last week the Kashmir was gripped again in panic after the incessant rains posed the threat of floods. The encroached water bodies were running out of capacity and the water started seeping into the residential areas. The incessant rains brought back the memoires of 2014 deluge which caused the huge devastation to the economy of Kashmir though fortunately the causalities were negligible. The deluge of 2014 was considered one of the worst in last over 100 years of Kashmir history. Prior to the deluge of 2014, Kashmir had witnessed the massive earthquake in 2006 not only causing the huge destruction but also taking hundreds of lives. Given to the geography and climate of the region, Kashmir is prone to the natural calamities- be it floods or earthquake as it falls in the seismic zone 5. What is unfortunate that we people have a short lasting memory? We never take things seriously and have their lasting impact. As seen during the last week rainfall, hundreds of families shifted to the safer places and returned only after the water level receded from the water bodies. But in the long run escapism is not the solution. It needs pragmatic approach and all people must stand against the encroachment of drains, streams and other water bodies accommodating the incessant rainfall. At the community level people must identify the gorges, streams and other water bodies accommodating excessive rains and protect them from further encroachment. They must also build pressure on the government which claims to have been pumping hundreds of crores to de-slit the flood channel and Jhelum River to evade flood threats in future. However, the performance so far on such initiatives is dismal. To save Kashmir, the pragmatic approach is needed not the blame game between the people and government. The public exchequer being spent on the project needs a social audit and people must involve themselves in it. Leaving everything to government and not questioning it for its insincerity and lackadsical attitude may prove disastrous. The only option to save Kashmir from future calamities needs a collective and pragmatic approach.
The editorial appeared in print edition of April 11-18, 2017
