Isher Singh Jasrotia
This is in reference to the natural calamity due to cloundburst, flash floods, land sliding mudslides in 3rd week ( 15th to 27th of August 2025) across the districts of J&K (UT).
That since 1969, this is for the first time that such a huge loss of life and property has been caused from 14th to 27th of August 2025, due to continuous raining especially in the District Kathua ( the largest District in the State).
In the early 1969, we used to see that here was heavy rain in the beging of June 2025, when had been intense heat (the beginning of summer season) and due to heavy rain, all the Khaderu used to be with flash flood carrying trees and causing great loss.
Similarly the cloudburst at Kishtwar on August 14, 2025 is also such a great calamities wherein more than 60 persons have lost their lives and more than 60 are missing.
Great loss has been occurred at Lakhanpur at Bridge of Madhopur which connect J&K with Punjab. The building wherein the personnel of CRPF were staying was flooded away. The personnel of CRPF were evacuated by Helicopter and the army personals and NDRF were deployed there.
Similar loss has occurred at Tawi Bridge which was damaged flowing beyond the danger mark on August 26, 2025. The houses down to the Tawi Bridge have been damaged and the people have been made houseless.
Now there has been propaganda that damage of Bridges of Sahar Khad (Khaderu) which was recently built under the control of BJP Government. There has been criticism against each other i.e both the Political Parties i.e Congress Govt. and BJP Govt. Whatever the cause of damage of the said bridge Bridges of Sahar Khad (Khaderu) on August 24, 2025 may be, it is loss of public property and great inconvenience to the people in general.
It has become common practice of the political parties to propagate false propagating whenever there has been calamities.
There has been great hindrance to the public in large, some persons have to go to the Hospital in delivery cases, some have to attend the important function related to exigencies of services. Similarly there is propaganda by both Parties Congress and BJP regarding the damage of the said bridge at (Sahar Khad) Kathua which was built recently. The Congress persons are blaming the BJP regarding the dismantle of old bridge at Sahar Khad which was strong enough, should have not been dismantled and the same could be used now when both both bridges have been damaged ( one is totally damaged and the other is also is not fit for traffic. The National Highway traffic was diverted to take the route of Pathankot to Jammu via Nagri, Keerian, Bagthali.
So many people have been caused great loss due to the damage of their houses due to cloudburst and flash flood and some have lost their life.
It is admitted fact and as has been observed in every election, whether in Parliament election or the State Assembly election, the false promises made with the public are forgotten after the election is over. The statement given by the minister of Congress on the agenda of article 370, as to why he is not speaking on it, whereas the same was put in its manifesto before the General Election.
There is dire need to change the mindset of the people, not to fall prey of the false propagandas of those leaders especially those who beg votes in the name of religion, community and vice versa.
Now whatever may be the loss cause to the people due to cloudburst, flash flood are irreparable and cannot be compensated.
(The author is a Chairman of Educational Society)
