Jammu & Kashmir Deluged from Heavy Rains
J&K is currently facing one its worst rain-related disasters in history, with more bad news in store.
Jammu, May 1, 2024: While the rest of India is reeling from merciless heat waves, the northern province of Jammu & Kashmir is struggling to keep its head about water... quite literally. Torrential downpours have caused severe water-logging and landslides. The grim situation has coerced local authorities to order the shutting of schools and the blocking of roads. The present scenario is so bad that even highways connecting Jammu with Srinagar and Leh have been closed.
The relentless rain in the area has caused damage to public infrastructure and private property. However, there is no indication of the extent of fatalities just yet. Poonch district in particular has had to bear most of the brunt of nature’s fury... although one can hardly call it that as it is man-made climate change that is wreaking havoc in every corner of the world.
Much of the Kupwara district of Kashmir found itself submerged and cut off from the rest of the state, although 336 families have been reportedly evacuated to safety. More rains as well as hailstones and lightning are forecast for the rest of the week in J&K.
Meanwhile, the water level of the Jammu’s Jhelum River has risen to an alarming 18 feet. Just two weeks ago, a boat accident occurred in the wily water body, resulting in the deaths of several school-children and some parents. It is essential in such scenarios for more sturdy infrastructure, including concrete bridges to come up rapidly. But develop in the embattled province, since 2018 when came under Presidential Rule, has been sluggish. It looks like the residents of J&K won’t be out of troubled waters anytime soon... while the authorities are likely to get more than their feet wet.
