Has Kashmir learned its lesson?

Over a decade after the devastating floods of 2014 brought Kashmir to its knees, almost a similar situation was once again witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir as the region was almost at the brink of floods given the rise in the water levels in all the major rivers and streams following the heavy rainfall in the last couple of days. The disaster, back in 2014, exposed the region’s poor flood preparedness and lack of infrastructure resilience. Since then, several promises were made, but how much has truly changed? While projects like dredging of the Jhelum and strengthening of embankments were initiated, progress has been slow and inconsistent. Many crucial works remain incomplete or delayed due to funding issues, bureaucratic red tape and lack of coordination among departments. The flood spill channel, which could significantly reduce flood risk in Srinagar, still lacks the required capacity. Worse, rapid urbanisation continues to eat into the Valley’s wetlands and flood basins. Natural water bodies like Hokersar, once key to absorbing floodwaters, are shrinking due to encroachments and poor planning. This unchecked development has only increased vulnerability. Kashmir also lacks a strong early warning and response system. While some monitoring systems exist, community-level awareness and preparedness remain weak. It’s time for a serious review. Pending flood control projects must be completed on priority. Wetlands and flood channels need to be protected and restored. Urban planning must be aligned with environmental realities, not political or commercial interests. The flood-like situation once again in J&K was a wake-up call. We cannot afford to hit snooze again like 2014. Preventing another disaster requires urgency, coordination and the political will to place people and the environment above all else.