It is unfortunate that despite the Meteorological Department’s forecast of very heavy rain spells, shared well in advance, the concerned government departments failed to take adequate measures to prevent loss of life and damage to property across the Jammu Division. As the intensity of inclement weather conditions has become increasingly alarming year after year, there is an urgent need for those at the helm to change their strategy to minimise the damage, which has lately assumed colossal proportions.
Reports pouring in from Rajouri and Poonch have shocked people, with 11 persons killed and seven others missing after heavy rains triggered landslides and flash floods in the two border districts. It is appreciable that the Chief Minister cut short his Delhi visit to oversee rescue and relief operations in the rain-affected areas. However, the situation demands a more comprehensive approach to prevent such heartbreaking tragedies in the future.
The conventional practice of merely informing people about inclement weather conditions in advance is of little use these days, given the severity of changing climatic conditions. Cloudbursts, which have become increasingly common, were seldom witnessed a few decades ago. This makes it imperative to tackle the emerging challenge of climate change with a new and more effective strategy.
The first and foremost measure the government should take to prevent such tragedies is to identify vulnerable locations, including the catchment areas of water bodies, landslide-prone mountain slopes and low-lying areas where human settlements have come up. Once such information is systematically compiled, it will become easier to evacuate people living in these areas before calamity strikes. This is one of the most effective measures that can ensure the safety of vulnerable populations.
The government should also keep makeshift residential facilities ready for people living in dangerous areas so that their evacuation and temporary relocation can be carried out swiftly and smoothly ahead of a calamity. The decision of the Shrine Boards of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine to suspend the Yatras in view of heavy-rain advisories was prudent and timely.
All said and done, disaster management can no longer depend solely on weather forecasts and rescue operations after the damage has already been done. In view of the recurring tragedies, the concerned authorities must order a wide-ranging safety audit of all vulnerable areas and prepare a foolproof plan to prevent such incidents in the future.
The audit should include the identification of risky locations, strengthening of infrastructure and ensuring timely evacuation. It is imperative that all necessary steps are taken to prevent the loss of life and property before calamities strike, rather than merely responding after tragedy has occurred.
