[dropcap]F[/dropcap]or the past ten days the nation has been helplessly watching the swelling waters of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers flood the plains of the ‘paradise’ of Kashmir. The worst in a century according to some reports.
Heavy monsoon rainfall, began on September 3, causing landslides and flash flooding across northern India and Pakistan. In the first the week itself it killed over 440 people: over 200 in India and over 240 people in Pakistan.
Everyday, the figures of affected people in Kashmir of those rescued and those who have died, change … the last estimated dead now believed to be over 500.
In terms of property damage the cost according to ASSOCHAM is expected to be anything in the Rs 5000- 6000 crore range. But even this business conglomerate cannot estimate the cost it is going to take to rebuild the destroyed towns, villages, homes and most challenging of all the lives of hundreds and thousands of the flood affected.The most challenging task since the first responders emerged on the face of the troubled waters was to get people to safety. And in this no effort has been spared by the army and the Indian Airforce not just in getting those marooned to safety, but also providing them with food and temporary shelter wherever possible.
The scale of the destruction has been so vast , it took both the people of the valley and her state government by surprise.
No government can be prepared nor have the infrastructure to handle such an onslaught and fury unleashed by the flooding that caused landslips and a complete breakdown in communication networks.
What lessons have been learnt from this life drama unfolding before our eyes? We live in an area prone to earthquakes, flashfloods, poor network of surface, cyber and tele-communications .
The truth underlining this tragedy is very little, if at all. We only have to look around to see the violation of rules in constructions of buildings, the narrow lanes, the ill equipt hospitals and fire stations and staff who man these institutions. And greatest of all a very poorly motivated and informed public by agencies who job it is to create awareness.
How are the people of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, a place known throughout the world for its scenic beauty as well as insurgency, rise above these waters?
What will become of the sea of talent of its craftsmen and artisan and weavers, her horticulture products and aromatic scents and flavours?
The Nagaland Baptist Council of Churches put out an appeal recently to assist the Kashmir flood victims, let it be a hearty effort.
