Can J&K Afford To Delay Disaster Resilience?

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has once again drawn attention to a truth that Jammu and Kashmir cannot afford to ignore: the Union Territory is highly vulnerable to multiple natural hazards, including floods, landslides, earthquakes, avalanches, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods. The report is a timely reminder that while J&K has made progress in disaster management, the gaps are real and potentially deadly. The Committee’s assessment is sobering. The Kashmir Valley is prone to floods, the Chenab Valley to landslides, and the Jammu region to earthquakes. Each region faces a distinct threat, yet the response mechanisms remain uneven. While institutional arrangements have been strengthened and District Disaster Management Plans are in place for all 20 districts, the Committee rightly flags last-mile connectivity as a persistent challenge. In remote districts like Kishtwar, Kupwara, and Bandipora, the lack of reliable communication and access can mean the difference between life and death. Encroachment along floodplains, insufficient drainage networks, and weak enforcement of building codes are not new problems. They have been known for years, yet they persist. The Committee’s observation that disaster risk reduction measures remain project-specific rather than part of a uniform system is particularly concerning. Climate change is not waiting for us to get our systems in order; it is already here, making extreme weather events more frequent and intense. The report also highlights a critical paradox: J&K has developed a structured disaster management framework and strengthened early warning mechanisms, yet implementation remains uneven. Technology and institutional capabilities must be enhanced, but they cannot replace basic land-use discipline and community preparedness. Disaster resilience cannot be an afterthought. It must be mainstreamed into every development activity. Strict implementation of land-use regulations, investment in last-mile connectivity, and uniform enforcement of earthquake-resilient construction standards are not optional; they are essential. The Committee has done its part. Now it is up to the administration to act before the next disaster strikes. J&K’s fragile Himalayan ecology demands nothing less.