The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Every time flood alerts are issued in Kashmir due to incessant rainfall, the memories of the devastating 2014 floods come rushing back. This catastrophic event killed over 285 people and caused immense damage to property, infrastructure and agriculture, marking one of the worst natural disasters in the region’s history.

As September 7, 2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the 2014 floods, the scars remain vivid, with lingering questions about the effectiveness of flood management and preparedness in Kashmir. Just a few days of heavy rain are enough to trigger flood fears, with rising water levels in the Jhelum River and other water bodies.

The 2014 floods

From September 2 to 6, 2014, relentless rainfall caused the Jhelum River and its tributaries to overflow, flooding vast areas of Srinagar and other districts. The deluge destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, and government buildings, crippling communication networks and essential services.

According to a government report from 2023, accessed by the news agency KNO, nearly two million people were affected, over 287 lives were lost, and the economic, social and physical infrastructure sustained irreparable damage. The report cited poor preparedness, inadequate mitigation efforts and ineffective response planning as major contributors to the extent of the devastation.

Research indicates that around 2,600 villages were flooded, with 300 fully submerged. Half of Srinagar was underwater, with levels rising as high as six meters. Approximately 15% of houses (as per the 2011 Census) were damaged, with 20,000 homes completely destroyed and 2,34,516 structures affected. The damage to hotels, buildings, roads, and bridges was estimated at Rs 2,630 crore.

Lessons and changes since 2014

Following the disaster, the government launched a two-phase flood management and disaster mitigation plan aimed at preventing a repeat of such devastation.

The first phase, costing Rs 399 crore, was intended to increase the discharge capacity of the Jhelum River from 31,800 cusecs to 60,000 cusecs. However, progress has been inconsistent. Experts highlight that the dredging process remains inadequate, the river's carrying capacity is still a concern, and many embankments remain vulnerable to breaches, particularly in flood-prone areas.

In 2021, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) conducted an audit, revealing significant lapses in the completion of required flood management targets by the Irrigation and Flood Control (IF&C) Department.

Is Kashmir prepared for the next big flood?

On the 10th anniversary of the floods, concerns remain over whether Kashmir is ready for another large-scale flood. While some improvements have been made in flood forecasting and disaster response, questions about the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events persist.

Kashmiris are left wondering if enough has been done to prevent another disaster, or if history is bound to repeat itself.

It is pertinent to mention here that the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh in June 2024 directed the administration to submit detailed affidavits and compliance reports on preventive measures to address potential floods in the Kashmir Valley.

SRINAGAR — The Meteorological Department in Srinagar has issued a weather advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, warning of potential flash floods, landslides, and mudslides in vulnerable areas due to intense rainfall over the next two days.

According to the forecast, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected across many parts of the region late at night and early morning on August 19 and 20. A brief spell of showers is also anticipated at a few locations later in the afternoon.

The advisory specifically highlights the risk in the Jammu Division, where heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods, landslides, and shooting stones. People in vulnerable areas are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.

From August 21 to 22, the region will likely experience brief spells of rain and thundershowers during the day, with more widespread precipitation occurring late at night and early morning.

Kashmir Division is expected to see mostly calm weather with only occasional brief showers from August 23 to 31. However, light to moderate rain and thundershowers may continue in the Jammu Division during this period.

Additionally, the MeT Department forecasts a rise in daytime temperatures across the region from August 23 onwards, marking a transition to warmer conditions.

PULWAMA — Despite elapsing 10 years, a vital bridge on Romshi rivulet in Rahmoo village of Pulwama district is awaiting completion, thereby leaving the locals to lurch at large.

Locals from Rahmoo area told the news agency KNO that the Romshi bridge was washed out during the 2014 floods and since then people of this area have been facing hardships as authorities have failed to complete this bridge.

Javid Ahmad, a local resident, said that this bridge connects Pulwama district with neighbouring Budgam district and is of vital importance but most of the time, the work on the bridge remains on halt due to which it is incomplete for the last 10 years.

He said that many bridges, which were approved after the 2014 floods, have been completed but this bridge has been left incomplete due to unknown reasons.

Basharat Ahmad, another local resident, said that this bridge is funded by the World Bank and was taken up by JKPCC nine years back and work was started accordingly, however, authorities are yet to complete it due to which locals continue to face difficulties.

He said that the bridge connects Pulwama with Budgam district and work on the bridge is going at a snail’s pace due to which it is taking so much time.

Locals said that whenever they take up the issue with the higher-ups or highlight it through media, the work on the bridge is started again for a few days and then again put on halt. They said work on the bridge should be started with apace and be completed at the earliest.

Locals said that due to the efforts of District Magistrate Pulwama, most of the work has been already completed but it has been put on halt again. They requested concerned authorities, especially the Deputy Commissioner to look into the matter and complete this project at the earliest so that locals can heave a sigh of relief.

Pertinently, the bridge at Rahmoo is being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 21.5 crore.

Meanwhile, an official said that the work will resume and the bridge will be completed very soon.

PULWAMA — In a harrowing ordeal for the residents of Tenghar village in southern Kashmir's Pulwama district, a sudden flash flood wreaked havoc, inundating over a dozen homes and causing extensive damage to household belongings late Friday night.

The catastrophe unfolded as incessant rainfall over several days led to a sharp rise in the water level of a nearby river, culminating in a surge of water that breached its banks and surged into residential areas.

Reports indicate that the flash flood, striking around 11 pm, caught residents off guard, triggering panic and chaos as water inundated homes, including toilets and washrooms. The aftermath was extensive damage, with mats, rugs, and other belongings damaged by the muddy deluge.

Furthermore, the agricultural livelihoods of many households suffered a blow, as kitchen gardens and vegetable patches near the riverbanks bore the brunt of the flooding, compounding the residents' woes.

Speaking to The Kashmir Pulse, affected residents lamented the recurrent nature of such disasters and criticized the apparent lack of effective response from the authorities. They recounted previous instances of flooding and highlighted the failure of the administration to address the underlying issues.

Residents described frantic efforts to ensure the safety of their loved ones, particularly women and children, during the night when the flash floods struck. Despite their distress, they noted a lack of official assistance, with only local police providing minimal support.

While employees from the Department of Irrigation & Flood Control visited affected families on Saturday, residents expressed disappointment, stating that officials merely assessed the damage without providing practical assistance such as pumps or cleaning equipment to mitigate the impact of the muddy water inundating their homes.

In the wake of the calamity, residents issued a fervent plea to district authorities, urging swift intervention and the construction of robust defences against potential future flash floods.

SRINAGAR — The Meteorological Department on Tuesday predicted more rainfall in Jammu & Kashmir, while it also issued an advisory asking people to remain cautious and avoid venturing near places which are vulnerable to flash floods.

A MeT official, according to news agency Kashmir News Observer, said that light to moderate rain occurred at many places of J&K this morning and it was still raining lightly. "Intermittent light to moderate rain is likely to continue at many places of J&K during the next 24-36 hours," he said.

He further said that there's already lots of water in local streams, rivers etc. due to the melting of glaciers and the addition of rainwater in these streams often generates flash floods and mudslides.

The official advised the people to remain cautious and avoid venturing near such places which are vulnerable to flash floods.

PULWAMA — The residents of Wurbagh village in south Kashmir's Pulwama district are yearning for a footbridge for the last many decades, which could connect at least seven villages.

The work on the footbridge was started after the then People's Democratic Party (PDP) MLA Mohammad Khalil Bandh visited the area in 2016, but the same was never completed.

On June 22 this year, the wooden footbridge collapsed due to the flood water and added to woes of the locals, disconnecting at least half-a-dozen neighbouring villages.

Abdul Gani Bhat, an elderly man from the area, told The Kashmir Pulse that there have been many accidents taking place on this bridge, due to its bad condition. "The bridge, connecting many villages, is a lifeline for the area as it connects them to the rest of the district."

"About decades ago, this temporary bridge was built and it was the former DC Pulwama Mohammad Akram who came forward to help us. Then, it was MLA Mohammad Khalil Bandh who promised in 2016 that the bridge would be completed soon. However, the dilapidated condition of the same is in front of all of us," Abdul Gani adds.

Pertinently, before being collapsed due to the recent floods, the footbridge had no walls, which endangered the lives of passers-by. During floods, the villagers are stuck in their homes as all the roads connecting them to other areas are inundated.

Javid Ahmad Bhat, another local resident from Wurbagh village, said that the villagers met the officials of the concerned departments many times to demand the completion of this bridge, but no one took the responsibility for the same.

"People were only given assurances but due to their failure to complete the work on the bridge, people’s lives have been put at grave risk," Bhat said.

The residents have now demanded that the bridge be completed at the earliest so that the village's connectivity with the adjoining areas and the rest of the district is restored.

PULWAMA — Local residents in Gundipora village of south Kashmir's Pulwama district are facing a persistent flood threat as an old river embankment was eroded on Wednesday.

Locals, while speaking to The Kashmir Pulse, said that the river embankment shielded the locality against rising water levels and consequent flood waters. However, the villagers are now facing a perilous situation.

The aggrieved residents said the erosion of the river embankment exposes Gundipora and several nearby villages to floods and inundation.

The local people are now living in terror of the flood water from the river breaching into the locality including a Jamia Masjid, in case of heavy rainfall in the catchment area.

"We have been calling the officials to act sooner on this embankment but the government officials have only been doing mere lip service," an elderly man, who did not disclose his name, said.

He added that some officials came to the area only to assure that the embankment will be taken care of. "We appeal to the local authorities including the Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Baseer-ul-Haq to repair the embankment in the shortest possible time, so that we could also have a peaceful sleep."

It is in place to mention here that the Valley of Kashmir usually witnesses frequent rainfall up to the month of September, which elevates the flood risk for Gundipora village if the river embankment is left unrepaired.

Pertinently, various areas in Pulwama district witnessed a flood-like situation on June 22 after incessant rains continued for four consecutive days in the Valley.

The villages of Achan, Pinglena, Gundipora were particularly affected as some important roads were not motorable.

PULWAMA — Various areas in south Kashmir's Pulwama district witnessed a flood-like situation on Wednesday after incessant rains continued for the fourth consecutive day in the Valley.

The villages of Achan, Pinglena, Gundipora were particularly affected as some important roads were not motorable.

In Achan village, a bridge was reportedly washed off by flash floods causing inconvenience to commuters, following which the district administration closed Pinglena and the main Kakapora road.

Locals said some villages have completely been cut off due to the water logging.

It is in place to mention here that heavy rains over the past four days have led to a rise in the level of most water bodies in Kashmir with the Jhelum river crossing the flood alarm mark at Sangam in Anantnag district on Wednesday.