Abdul Quddir Kundria
Natural calamities have been part of human existence since the beginning of time, but in the last few decades their frequency and intensity have increased to alarming levels. The fragile Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir has always been prone to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, and torrential rains, yet the devastation seen in recent times has shaken the very foundation of human resilience in the area. Across districts such as Kishtwar, Kathua, Reasi, Ramban, Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur and Samba, people have witnessed tragedies that words can hardly capture. From the pilgrimage town of Katra near Mata Vaishno Devi shrine to the remote villages of Mahore, Banihal, and Bhadarwah, the landscape is scarred with grief. The cries of families who lost their loved ones echo through the valleys like a haunting reminder of how fragile human life is before nature’s fury. These cries, accompanied by tears that fall like drops of blood, leave us questioning where to turn, whom to save first, and how to recover from such irreparable loss. The devastation is not only physical but emotional, cutting deeply into the very spirit of society.
Everywhere across Jammu and Kashmir there are stories of tragedy. Private properties have been reduced to rubble, school and college buildings have collapsed under the weight of heavy rains, and mountain slopes have slid into rivers and valleys, burying whatever stood in their path. This is not limited to human settlements. Even the nests of birds have been destroyed, animals have perished in large numbers, and forests have suffered irreparable damage. Lightning has struck down trees, floods have swept away fertile fields, and rain has lashed relentlessly. The destruction of natural habitats, the displacement of wildlife, and the loss of biodiversity all indicate a deeper crisis that extends beyond human suffering. For ordinary people, the loss of homes, roads, and bridges is not just a material setback but a blow to their social and emotional fabric. These structures are lifelines in a mountainous region where connectivity is already fragile, and their collapse means isolation, hunger, and despair.
The magnitude of destruction is so vast that recovery seems almost impossible. The scenes unfolding in Jammu and Kashmir resemble the aftermath of a silent apocalypse. Compensation and relief may help to some extent, but no amount of money can bring back the dead or erase the trauma etched in the hearts of survivors. Families who lost their breadwinners, children who lost their parents, farmers who lost their fields-all face an uncertain future. What has been destroyed in a matter of hours will take decades to rebuild, if it can ever truly be rebuilt.
Yet, amidst this gloom, a faint silver lining can be seen in the courage and unity of those engaged in relief operations. The Army, Police, Civil Administration, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and countless NGOs have joined hands in this struggle. Risking their own lives, they have reached villages cut off by landslides, rescued stranded families, distributed rations and drinking water, and worked tirelessly to restore connectivity. Their courage deserves not only appreciation but deep respect. They are the living proof that humanity, when united, can stand strong even in the face of nature’s most brutal blows. While the monetary losses are beyond recovery, these relief measures give people a sense of hope. In the darkest of times, hope itself is a form of survival.
Another tragic dimension to this crisis is the collapse of essential services. Over the past few weeks, electricity and water supply have been disrupted in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Entire villages have been left without power for days, sometimes weeks. Water supply, already scarce in some regions, has been completely cut off, forcing families to walk long distances for drinking water. Life without electricity and water is not just an inconvenience; it is a slow erosion of survival itself. At such a critical time, providing rations, restoring electricity, and ensuring clean drinking water are not administrative tasks but moral obligations. This is a call for collective action. If the government, local administration, and common citizens come together, what seems impossible can indeed be made possible. Disasters demand that communities rise in solidarity, helping one another shoulder the burdens of survival. The people of Jammu and Kashmir must embrace this call, for unity and cooperation are the only true answers to such challenges.
The district administrations have tried to address the crisis, but the scale of damage is overwhelming. The floods and storms have not only taken lives but also destroyed fruit orchards and crops, which form the backbone of the region’s economy. Farmers, who depend entirely on their fields for livelihood, now stand devastated, watching the labor of years vanish in a single night of floods. For them, timely compensation is not charity but survival itself. It is imperative that the government ensures compensation does not remain confined to paperwork, political speeches, or newspaper headlines. Too often, the most needy are left out, while the influential manage to secure relief. This cycle of injustice must end. The way forward lies in setting up local-level committees in every Panchayat, involving revenue officials like Patwaris, community leaders, and district officers. Together, they must assess damages on the ground and ensure fair distribution of aid. This will guarantee that those who have actually suffered receive the relief they deserve. At the same time, the public must cooperate with officials, providing truthful information and supporting them in identifying victims. This is not a time for corruption or exploitation. It is a test of humanity, and failing it would be a crime against those already suffering.
The disaster has also exposed another pressing issue: the lack of educational infrastructure in rural areas. In many regions, children are forced to travel thirty to fifty kilometers to attend higher secondary schools or colleges. During disasters, when roads are blocked or destroyed, this becomes impossible, depriving students of their right to education. The government must treat this as an urgent lesson and establish more higher secondary schools and colleges in rural belts. This step will not only reduce pressure on urban institutions but also give underprivileged children in remote areas a fair chance at education. For many poor families, sending children to faraway towns is financially impossible, and disasters make it physically dangerous as well. Education within reach would provide these children an opportunity to break free from the cycle of poverty and vulnerability.
The central government has announced some aid for the affected areas, but the relief provided so far is far from sufficient. What has been given is not even close to the scale of destruction witnessed. The people of Jammu and Kashmir need and deserve far greater assistance. The central government must recognize the gravity of the situation and provide substantial financial and infrastructural aid to the Union Territory. This is not merely about rebuilding roads or houses; it is about healing wounds, restoring dignity, and giving hope to those who have lost everything. Only through significant and timely support can the injured be treated, the homeless be sheltered, and the livelihoods of farmers be restored. This is the spirit of the Indian Constitution, which promises equality, justice, and support to every citizen in times of need.
The natural disasters that have struck Jammu and Kashmir are not just isolated events but warnings for humanity. They remind us of the fragile balance between man and nature, and of our responsibility to protect and respect the environment. They also highlight the urgent need for stronger infrastructure, better preparedness, and greater cooperation between government, civil society, and ordinary citizens. Above all, they teach us that in the face of devastation, unity and compassion are our greatest strengths. The path ahead is not easy, but with collective will, honesty, and determination, Jammu and Kashmir can recover. The people have suffered immensely, but they also carry within them resilience and courage. It is time for all of us, whether in administration, institutions, or as common citizens, to come together and rebuild not just homes and roads, but also the spirit of hope. Only then can we truly honor the lives lost and ensure that the future is safer for generations to come.
(The writer is an eminent Dogri Poet/Writer of Jammu and Kashmir)