Relief package and beyond

It must be one of the worst climatic catastrophes that hit the region, especially some areas in Jammu. The fury in the river Tawi has probably been never so, at least in the recent past. As an aftermath we now have a vast population that suffered and will continue to suffer for a long time. Looking at the scale of impact, many voices are now surfacing up, urging the central government to announce a comprehensive relief package.

We have seen how the central leadership expressed concern about the loss of life and property in these floods. The level of concern shown entails a commensurate plan for rehabilitation being laid out. It is time for the central leadership to walk the talk and address the concerns of the people.

These are really tough times for the affected people. As there is no respite in rains and we now have had a long spell of rains, coupled with cloudbursts, the scale of suffering is only immense. For the J&K government it may just not be possible to manage the crisis, and mitigate the associated sufferings, all on its own. The aid from the central government needs to flow in.

However, this aid should not be just to create optics, but to pave way for the rehabilitation of the devastated families. The aid should reach those who are the actual victims, and it should reach in time. As they say a timely stitch can save a cut from turning into a gaping wound. Before sufferings compound, help must be delivered.

But beyond the relief package, it is time to rethink the entire climate policy. The way changes have happened in climate, it asks for a scientific response. The damage that has been done to environment is now having its revenge. To save people and property from the fury of nature, a comprehensive policy needs to be put in place that maps out all contributing activities to this climate disaster, and then make desired changes in an effective manner.