The picturesque Kashmir Valley, known for its stunning landscapes and serene beauty, is facing the harsh realities of climate change. The region, nestled in the Himalayas, is experiencing significant shifts in weather patterns, leading to a range of environmental challenges such as floods.

The floods in Kashmir Valley in 2014 were primarily caused by a combination of heavy rainfall, overflowing rivers, and inadequate drainage systems. The region experienced unusually heavy rainfall over several days, leading to the swelling of rivers and streams beyond their capacity, which resulted in widespread flooding. The adverse impacts of the floods were significant and multi-faceted. They caused loss of hundreds of lives and led to the displacement of thousands of people from their homes, causing immense human suffering and disruption of communities. Additionally, the floods severely damaged or destroyed infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, hindering rescue and relief efforts and impeding the recovery process. Businesses, agriculture, and livelihoods were severely affected, leading to significant economic losses. Floodwaters often carry contaminants and pollutants, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities exacerbated these health risks. The floods also caused environmental damage, including soil erosion, loss of vegetation, and contamination of water sources, affecting the ecosystem and biodiversity of the region. Moreover, the trauma of experiencing a natural disaster, loss of loved ones, and displacement can have long-lasting psychological effects on individuals and communities, requiring mental health support and counselling services.
The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall and exacerbated by melting snow from the Himalayas, have wreaked havoc on communities, infrastructure, and livelihoods. The impacts of the floods are far-reaching and profound. Homes have been submerged, forcing thousands of residents to flee to safer ground. Infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power lines, has been severely damaged, disrupting transportation and communication networks. Agriculture, a vital source of livelihood for many in the region, has suffered extensive losses, jeopardizing food security and economic stability. As global temperatures rise, the region experiences more intense rainfall and erratic weather patterns.

Why are we Facing these Floods ? Have you Ever Thought about This ?

One of the primary causes of the floods is the changing climate patterns in the region. But apart from this there are many anthropogenic activities which are leading us towards a future where floods become more frequent, severe, and destructive.

Wetland Conversion

Kashmir is home to a plethora of wetlands known locally as “Dembs,” which act as sponges during floods and share the waters of the Jhelum River. Due to encroachment, urbanisation, and excessive siltation, these wetlands have lost their water absorption capacity, reducing their ability to assist during floods.
Considered to be Asia’s largest freshwater lake, Wullar is fast losing its grandeur to extensive pollution, siltation and encroachments. The wetland has been extensively encroached upon by massive plantations and extension of agricultural fields.Hygam, a Ramsar Site, has also been extensively encroached upon and converted into land for paddy cultivation over the last two decades.

All these activities are leading us down a path of increased vulnerability to flooding and its associated risks. By degrading wetland ecosystems, we are diminishing nature's ability to regulate water flow, store excess water, and mitigate the impacts of floods. As a result, communities are more susceptible to the devastating consequences of flooding. Protecting and restoring wetlands not only helps to reduce flood risk but also provides numerous ecological, economic, and social benefits for present and future generations.
River encroachment, along with siltation, can indeed exacerbate the risk of floods. Encroachment reduces the natural floodplain, limiting the river’s capacity to accommodate increased water flow. Additionally, siltation can reduce the depth and width of the river, further impeding its ability to contain excess water during heavy rainfall or snowmelt, thus increasing the likelihood of flooding.Last week, Kashmir was on the brink of yet another flood. After just two days of rainfall, Jhelum River swelled, breached its embankments and threatened to inundate the summer capital Srinagar.
Dredging involves removing sediment from rivers, lakes, or other water bodies to maintain or increase their depth. However, if the dredging is not properly managed or if there is inadequate disposal of dredged material, it can lead to sediment build-up downstream. This build-up can reduce the capacity of river channels to carry water, increasing the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall or snowmelt.
In the case of Kashmir, where the region is already prone to flooding due to heavy rainfall and snowmelt, improper dredging practices can further worsen the situation by altering natural drainage patterns and reducing the capacity of water bodies to hold excess water. Therefore, careful planning, management, and monitoring of dredging activities are essential to minimize the risk of flooding and ensure the sustainability of water resources in the region.
Concretization, or the process of covering natural surfaces with concrete or other impermeable materials, can contribute to floods in Kashmir and other regions. When natural surfaces like soil and vegetation are replaced with concrete, rainwater cannot infiltrate into the ground as effectively. Instead, it quickly runs off, overwhelming drainage systems and increasing surface runoff during heavy rainfall events.
In Kashmir, concretization in urban areas reduces the amount of permeable land available to absorb rainfall. This can lead to increased runoff into rivers and streams, exacerbating the risk of flooding. Additionally, concretization can alter the natural flow patterns of water, directing it more rapidly towards water bodies and increasing the likelihood of flash floods.
Therefore, unchecked concretization can worsen the impact of floods by reducing the land’s ability to absorb water and by altering natural drainage patterns, making it crucial for urban planning and development to prioritize sustainable practices that allow for natural water absorption and flow.
In conclusion, the floods ravaging the Kashmir Valley are a convergence of natural phenomena exacerbated by human actions. Addressing these multifaceted challenges demands a comprehensive approach, including climate change mitigation, sustainable land management practices, improved infrastructure planning, and enhanced disaster preparedness. Only through concerted efforts can we hope to mitigate the devastating impacts of floods and safeguard the future of the Kashmir Valley.

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