The flash floods, landslides, land sinking, mudslides, land erosion and connected processes are naturally caused due to heavy rainfall and are commonly observed in monsoon season. But for the last two to three decades, it is experienced that there is a random downpour during most of the time in a year. Sometimes there is deficit of rain when it is essential for farming and other purposes. This is a bothersome situation for sustenance of mankind and the life on planet earth.
The experts say that due to industrialisation and development in the successive millennium there has been ecological imbalance. Natural bodies have been disturbed and interrupted by the today’s modern man. For building roads, tunnels, railways and other projects and infrastructures, forests are cut and natural vegetation and plants and removed. Agricultural land is being converted and used for construction, residential and other purposes which is in violation of land use rules. The rivers, streams and other water bodies are being encroached upon and their courses are narrowed and changed. Natural water flow and quantity are disturbed by such advances towards these bodies. The government rules are violated in order to construct the buildings for residential and commercial purposes near to rivers and nallahs. These water bodies also get polluted due to flowing of waste water into them and thus making this water unsafe for drinking and even for agricultural purposes.
There is no doubt that science has equipped man with reason and vision. He has done miracles in present era and invented the machinery and modern equipment for the service and comfort of nation. But we also have to think upon that all these progresses and coziness of our lives may not become a cause of disasters for humankind.
The government in consultation with scientists, environmentalists, geologists, engineers and other experts may aware the people and publicize the scientific guidelines. They shall set rules and implement on ground for developing infrastructure, construction of buildings and land use. Although there have already been set guidelines issued by the government still there is need of more clarity with stricter implementation of same in the field.
Due to overlooking the consequences of above given natural hazards and violation of such guidelines worldwide, there has been sudden increase of such disasters as seen post 2000’s. The majority of States / UTs in India including the north region have been affected due to the flash floods in near past.
The most recent flash floods have been experienced in Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal region comprising of Poonch and Rajouri districts and few other parts in Jammu & Kashmir in July 2026. As per news, the cloud bursts occurred in hilly areas in Poonch and Rajouri districts which caused excess water to flow in rivers and streams. This has wreaked a havoc in both the districts including the upper and low-lying areas. Dozens of human lives have been lost and few are missing due to flash floods and landslides in both the districts. The tragedy of loss of two different entire families (about 7-9 members) in summer mud houses in highland pastures of Surankote and Loran (Mandi) in Poonch is no less than a mini-doomsday for their relatives and the local residents. In this catastrophe, the properties worth crores have been damaged, the agricultural land of thousands of kanals, residential houses, shops and many roads destroyed and washed away by the raging flood water, the businesses and livelihood gone and dozens of cattle have died.
If I discuss the Rajouri district here, the people in Kotranka (Budhal), Thannamandi, Darhal and the proper Rampur town have been affected due to torrential rain and flood. The Darhali river comprising of rivulets from Thannamandi and Darhal has caused more than expected devastation in the town. Flash floods hit Rajouri around 3 to 4 am in early morning on July 19, 2026.
Due to incessant overnight rainfall river water overflowed and breached flood walls. This caused inundation of new Bus Stand, Bhella Park, low-lying localities in Bhella Colony, residences and shops in Madina Colony (Ward No. 2) towards Abdullah Bridge. The periphery market of Bhella Bus Stand alongside the road from Kikkar morh to Youghal Sons was severely hit which caused much loss to shop owners.
The flooding impacted over 100 houses and several public and private structures in the town. Dozens of parked vehicles and public structures at the Bela bus stand were swept away and ruined by gushing currents of water. Two young boys in Malik Market, near Jhullah Bridge and a person from Thannamnadi were swept away by the flooded river and lost their lives. There is also likelihood of missing of several other people in the town and other parts due to floods. It will come to know only after the normalisation of weather in the region.
In order to mitigate the consequences of flash floods and such catastrophes in future, particularly to save the affected Rajouri town from Kheora side via Bhella Bus Stand / concrete bridge towards Abdullah Bridge / Gujjar Mandi, following measures are suggested:
- The original and old courses of rivers and water bodies may not be altered and encroached by any means.
- No new public or private constructions / structure and establishments may be allowed to be made within 1 km in either side of river or streams.
- All the residential or commercial establishments already made near to water bodies may immediately be got vacated by the government. Rather than demolishing these structures, they may be put in use on only day-time basis for official purpose by government. Such occupants may be allotted plots of equivalent size and shifted at safer locations in the town.
- Afforestation and plantation drives may be conducted on the vacant land near the rivers and streams for making the land stronger and more water absorbing.
- When roads and tunnels are constructed, utmost care be taken in cutting the earth and trees and plants for judicious use. High and strong concrete protection walls / bandhs may be raised to stop the soil erosion and landslides from such cuttings alongside the roads and near the tunnel endings. A large number of trees can be planted on such cliffs and land alongside the roads to minimise the erosion and preventing the landslides. This will minimise the ecological balance.
- Apart from this, worldwide guidelines may be framed and publicized to prevent, dissipate and minimise the heat and pollution generated from industrialisation processes and other machinery including vehicles used by public or government.
- In order to prevent the affected areas of Rajouri town from future flood waters, a wide, concrete and about 30 to 40 feet high flood protection wall may be constructed on left bank of Darhali river alongside Bhella Bus Stand road from Kikkar Morh near Petrol Pump upto Youghal Sons near concrete bridge extending towards Abdullah Bridge.
- The course of river which it made towards the residential areas in Bhella Colony and the street leading to Madina Colony and around the premises of Rajouri Public School during recent floods may be changed towards right bank through heavy duty machinery to prevent the entry of river water in the residential areas.
- A protection wall as said above may also be raised alongside river bank in Malik market starting from Abdullah and Jhulla Bridges downwards on which residential and commercial buildings have been severely destroyed.
- No more construction along the river bank may be allowed by the government to prevent the future loss of life and property.
Email: razver1981@gmail.com
