Jammu and Kashmir has once again been struck by nature’s fury as Kathua district witnessed a devastating cloudburst and landslide, claiming seven lives and injuring several others. The tragic events at Jodh Ghati and Janglote underline the grim reality that the UT continues to remain vulnerable to extreme weather events, particularly cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods. Despite advances in disaster management, people are still caught unaware, and the element of surprise in such calamities leads to heavy loss of life and extensive damage to household property, schools, Government assets, and critical infrastructure. The damage to highways, railway lines, and residential localities further compounds the crisis, as connectivity becomes the first casualty. Relief and rescue operations are being undertaken by the district administration, SDRF, police, and volunteers, but the challenges are enormous. With large volumes of mud, boulders, and debris flowing into plains and habitations, clearance and evacuation are never easy tasks. Simultaneous cloudbursts and landslides at multiple points stretch men and machinery beyond their limits, delaying relief and prolonging people’s suffering.
What is particularly worrying is that such disasters are no longer isolated incidents but part of a recurring pattern in Jammu and Kashmir. From Kishtwar to Kathua, the region has witnessed multiple cloudbursts in a span of days, raising questions about shifting weather cycles and ecological imbalance. It will indeed be a matter of serious research to examine why multiple cloudbursts are occurring in one particular zone. Scientific studies on local topography, climate change impact, and land-use patterns need to be fast-tracked to build an evidence-based framework for mitigation.
Yet, while no one can control the fury of nature, we can certainly regulate our actions. Rampant deforestation, unplanned construction on riverbeds and nullah banks, and unchecked quarrying only exacerbate vulnerability. Bare mountains cannot absorb heavy rainfall, while settlements in flood-prone areas remain sitting ducks for disaster. The principle is simple: a secure nature for our own safety. Unless strong regulations, ecological safeguards, and resilient infrastructure planning are enforced, such tragedies will continue to repeat. Kathua’s loss should not be just another addition to J&K’s long list of disasters. It must serve as a wake-up call.
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