Brig Uttam Chib, (SM) Retd
Flood can occur when flow rate exceeds the capacity of the river channel. Some develop slowly (Kashmir flood) and some as flash floods (Jammu floods). Flood in Jammu and Kashmir due to heavy and continuous rain from 3rd September 2014 to 7th September 2014 has done devastating damage to people, houses, agriculture, infrastructure, services, trade etc. Causes can be many but certainly it’s a combination of nature and mankind.
Disaster is a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area. There may be natural or manmade causes or accident or negligence which result in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage and destruction of property or damage to or degradation of environment and is of such a nature or magnitude has to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area (Section 2 of Disaster management act of 2005).
Disaster management is a continuous integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating and implementation measures which are necessary or expedient to prevent danger and threat of any disaster, mitigation or reduce the risk or severity or consequences of any disaster situation, capacity building and preparedness to deal with any disaster. Prompt response to any threatening disaster situation or disaster, assessing the severity or magnitude of effects of any disaster, evacuation, rescue and relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction (DM act 2005).
Flood effects are on: individual, communities, social economics, and environmental consequences. Negative Socio–Economic Impact of floods are loss of lives and Property, loss of livelihood, loss of livestock, damage to infrastructure, disruption of clean water/transport/communication/education & health care system; high prices thereby reduction in purchasing power, loss of land value at effected area and increase of land value at non effected area, increase cost of rehabilitation; mass migration of temporary workforce ( labor, mason, carpenter) and some locals too; Psychological effects on flood victims and their family; loss of loved ones, loss of property, loss of special occasion items (marriage) and livelihood, Insecurity of property, living in shelters, changes in social affairs. The stress of overcoming these losses can be overwhelming and produce lasting Psychological impact. State Economic loss approximately Rs 5400-5700 crores as heavy damages to hotels, trade, restaurants, horticulture, handicraft as per initial estimate of industry body Assocham. Hindering economic growth and development: high cost of Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction will adversely effect on the investment in infrastructure and other development projects activities. Migration of skilled and non skilled labor, lack of livelihood can lead to higher cost of goods and services, delaying development program. Public implication/reaction need to be handled very carefully: Ineffective flood response, slow relief, rehabilitation & reconstruction operation lead to public discontentment or loss trust in the authorities. Lack of development may cause social inequality and social unrest posing threat to peace & stability in the Region. Disaster poses monumental challenges to public officials who must be prepared to cope with demands encompassing every aspect of community life. The recovery period cannot be easily generalized. It may be months or may stretch over a year plus.
Transparency in any functioning is the basic principle. Logistic has no perfection and no limitation. It is continuous, ongoing, on ground visit and revisit, feedback, evaluation, flexibility and uninterrupted task. Basic of logistic are right material, at right time, for right people/location and right distribution. Lots of relief stores are coming and flow will remain so for many months. Logistic involves stores co-ordination, control, checking of store movement, safety and security of stores in transient and at storage at destination, accounting, distribution, documentation and special auditing six monthly both by local audit and test auditing. Dealing staff in charge of stores should not be posted out/moved out without auditing of their period. A separate department with additional minister directly under chief minister to be functional. Command: at state level (Chief secretary); Control and Co-ordination: at state level (Chief secretary/Home secretary), Delhi by commissioner J&K with team of dedicated staff, Jammu under Divisional Commissioner, Srinagar under Divisional Commissioner. Stores movement should be monitored at designated check points at Lakhanpur (Jammu) and at Quazi-kund (Kashmir). Survey of damages of flood area need to be carried out on priority by decentralizing and people to be allowed to submit own hand written claim signed and witnesses by locality neighbours (left and right), chowkidar, headman of village. Involvement of NGOs/recognized trade association for their trade, head of institutions. Govt. official/ departments to ascertain claims in their official way. Extra revenue staff from less affected areas can be employed temporarily. False claim by claimants can be dealt under act and law (disaster management act 2005). Facilitator from each locality / specific area to be employed/ nominated with outside groups/ NGO for ease of proper co -ordination, functioning and distribution. It will also generate employment for local people. All transportation carrying stores ( all India ) for flood relief and reconstruction material to be pasted with sticker/banner ‘Relief J&K’, to be exempted from toll tax & other taxes, free movement (24 hour) from all restricted cities/areas (no time limit movement), no long halt at tolls ( priority movement), no undue harassment by traffic staff. Other taxes to be exempted and financial relief to be given to effected people, agriculture, horticulture, education, institutions, trade & business establishments. These facilities to be provided at least upto nov/dec 2017 as winter slows down functioning.
Project Monitoring: rehabilitation and reconstruction is a long process under different departments and agencies. Project Monitoring Officer (PMO) to be nominated for each project directly by commanding authority (chief minster office) and report to same authority. Monitoring will ensure by looking into progress of projects, quality of services, percentage of works completion as per laid down contractual obligation.
Appreciation: need to appreciate prompt visit of Union Home minister Rajnath Singh on 04Sep14 and Prime Minister Narendera Modi on 07sep14 to flood affected areas and announcement of Rs1000 crore as relief and immediately mobilizing all National agencies on war footing for flood rescue and relief Jammu and Kashmir. Lone Warrior Chief Minister Omar Abdullah did his best on his own, all alone without his advisors and wiser in prevailing situation/crisis. Army was first to rescue and relief responder on ground for Kashmir valley people leaving their own family and houses under flood in army cantt. area Badamibagh. Air force joining added more quick relief and rescue day/night at Srinagar. NDRF, local Srinagar young daring boys, families and religious institutions of all faith also provided help in rescue and shelter. Army distributed their own food and their family were surviving on KICHRI. Army serve with Honour, Value and Dignity.
Some Govt. official are appreciated as they acted in crisis by taking prompt and suitable action in their official capacity in relief and rescue; Div Commissioner Jammu and all his DCs and Deputy Commissioner Leh, Simarandeep singh providing relief and airlift to number of students other people . They all rose to occasion, on call of duty. Four districts of Srinagar are badly affected as compared to others. Alternative/contingency plans need to work out for assistance from adjoining/another district HQ during such crisis. Government of India and state govt. must look into causes, lapses, remedial measures and mitigation of natural disaster by appointing technical expert commissions.
Rivers have given birth to human civilization. Civilization or development does not mean destroying the nature . Healthy society should develop and progress in pollution free environment. If elders have failed then youth will take on these responsibilities. Nature is changer and teacher . Many will never be same again.
All have to rise to start rebuilding again. Be All for One and One for All….
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