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.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The ongoing prolonged dry spell this summer is causing immense distress among valley farmers, raising concerns about its severe impact on crop growth and overall productivity.

Officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department informed the news agency KNO that due to the extended dry weather and decreasing water levels in the Jhelum River, approximately 10% of irrigation agriculture schemes are being affected.

"We are currently witnessing a significant reduction in the water level of the Jhelum River due to prolonged dry weather conditions. The decreased water level has adversely affected lift irrigation," an official said.

The official further said that the overall water capacity of the Jhelum has decreased by 30% from normal levels, resulting in a 10% impact on irrigation schemes.

Meanwhile, Director Agriculture Kashmir, Choudhary Mohammad Iqbal, said, “Currently, there is moisture in the ground, but if there is no rainfall by next week, both paddy and vegetable crops will be negatively affected.”

“For the growth of paddy and vegetable crops, rainwater is crucial. Presently, there is some moisture in the ground, but without rainfall within the next week or so, adverse effects on both vegetable and paddy fields are anticipated,” Director Iqbal said.

Professor Dr Raihana, Chief Scientist at the Faculty of Agriculture, Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology (SKUAST) Kashmir, said the prolonged dry spell had stressed plants, resulting in stunted growth in both paddy and vegetable crops.

“The extended dry spell has caused the tips of paddy crops to burn, while leaves of vegetables have become dry,” she explained. Dr Raihana added that the high temperatures coupled with the prolonged dry period have led to reduced crop yields, with stunted growth and leaf weathering in vegetable plants.

A considerable portion of the Jhelum River in Srinagar is visibly drying up, with surface patches becoming evident at various points along its stretch.

Another official from the I&FC Department said that over 40% of the Jhelum River in Srinagar has begun to dry up at multiple locations due to the extended dry spell.

“The ongoing dry spell is impacting water bodies. In Srinagar, approximately 40% of the Jhelum River has dried up, with surface patches visible at numerous locations,” the official said.

Farmers said the lack of precipitation and above-average temperatures have severely affected crop growth and development, dealing a significant blow to the region’s agricultural economy.

Several videos circulating on social media purportedly show farmers displaying their dry paddy fields, with young paddy plants also withering due to the dry conditions.

Farmers are anxiously awaiting relief from the dry and hot weather conditions as the prolonged spell continues to challenge their livelihoods and the overall agricultural economy.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse