Srinagar, Oct 12: The unregulated extraction of natural resources from riverbeds increases the susceptibility of rivers to flash floods in Kashmir, says a National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) report.
The report highlights the impact of unregulated extraction of sand, gravel, and boulders from riverbeds, which significantly heightens the risk of flash floods.
It further explains that most developmental activities are undertaken with utter disregard for the environmental, geological, geomorphological, and ecological conditions of the region.
The report also stresses the importance of establishing an early warning system to mitigate flood risks in Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir are highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as avalanches, earthquakes, and floods.
The NIDM emphasized the need for corrective measures to prevent future disasters.
“The task is being undertaken by several departments, such as the IMD and the Irrigation and Flood Control Department. Their efforts have improved the early warning system in the region. However, there is still a long way to go, and the flood early warning system needs further improvement, especially in light of major events like the 2014 deluge,” the report adds.
The report also calls for better utilization of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to bolster available resources and ensure their effective use for disaster preparedness and relief. It highlights the delay in upgrading the Jammu and Kashmir Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development to a State Institute of Disaster Management (SIDM), which is crucial for capacity-building and serves as a technical, training, planning, and analysis arm of the State Disaster Management Authority.
