Flash floods, landslides, hailstorm

The incessant rains wreaked havoc in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Flash floods, landslides and lightning occurred, and a number of houses collapsed totally, or suffered significant damage. A number of people lost their lives in the related mishaps.

Livestock perished. Crops were damaged in agriculture fields. Hailstorm at several places also damaged the crops. The break in rainfall around midnight brought the much needed respite. Jhelum was flowing at the “flood declaration mark” at Ram Munshi Bagh in Srinagar on Tuesday morning.

But the water level was receding in river Jhelum at Sangam in south Kashmir indicating that the level will come down in the river also in Srinagar and north Kashmir later. The concerned authorities said that while there was no flood threat still they were continuing in a state of alertness.

The administration took good step on Monday by evacuating affected families to safer places in north Kashmir. Now there is a need to provide immediate relief to affected families, who have lost family members or whose houses and crops have been damaged.

Once the water level recedes further necessary measures should be taken to repair damaged houses, bridges and roads. There is also need to take precautions by the people in the flash flood affected areas. The concerned authorities have already issued the advisories and these advisories have to be followed in letter and spirit for the safety of people.

The authorities in Srinagar city must also take a serious note of the situation that arises during incessant rains. There should be a solution to the problems of water logging.

Roads and residential areas get submerged due to rain water. Lack of proper drainage system complicates further the problem. The proper drainage system must be in place.

The defective drainage system has to be replaced. The areas, not having drainage facility, must get it at the earliest. Additional stationed and mobile de-watering pumps have to be made available.

The process of dewatering the waterlogged areas need to be timely. Otherwise the vehicular traffic and pedestrian movement becomes difficult in such areas.