BackCaught in water
After Uttarakhand in 2013, Jammu and Kashmir has proved ineffectual in meeting the challenge of floods
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For the second time in two years, an Indian hill state has been caught unprepared in tackling a natural disaster. After Uttarakhand in 2013, Jammu and Kashmir has proved ineffectual in meeting the challenge of floods.
The stories from across the state show the civil administration just melted away and citizens were left to fend for themselves. In Srinagar, people climbed to the top floors of homes as the streets flooded.
One reason for this is the total absence of capabilities for even minimal tasks on part of these governments. For another, the complete lack of civic planning and haphazard urbanization with no emphasis on drainage and water channels. This can be seen in city after city in India. The only time one becomes aware of the issue is, of course, during floods.
Every time there is a flood, the Union government has to rush in the army and other agencies to help these states. It should tie money for reconstruction with some basic improvement in civic planning.
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