JAMMU, Jul 23: Expressing deep concern over the devastating flash floods triggered by the ongoing monsoon rains across various parts of Jammu & Kashmir, senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch Adv Devraj Sharma on Thursday called for immediate, coordinated, and proactive measures to safeguard precious human lives, minimise damage to property, and ensure timely rescue and rehabilitation of the affected families.
Describing the prevailing situation as extremely alarming, Adv Sharma said that incessant rainfall and flash floods have once again exposed the vulnerability of several areas to natural calamities. He expressed solidarity with the families who have suffered irreparable losses and prayed for the safety and well-being of all those affected by the disaster.
He urged the district administrations, disaster management authorities, police, SDRF, NDRF, and all other concerned agencies to work in close coordination and intensify rescue and relief operations on a war footing. He said every possible effort must be made to evacuate people stranded in vulnerable locations, provide immediate medical assistance, ensure the availability of food, drinking water, temporary shelter, and other essential supplies, and restore disrupted public services at the earliest.
Adv Sharma stressed that relief efforts should not end with rescue operations alone. “The government must ensure a transparent and time-bound assessment of losses so that adequate compensation and rehabilitation assistance reach every affected family without unnecessary delays. Those who have lost their homes, livelihoods, livestock, or agricultural land deserve comprehensive support to rebuild their lives with dignity,” he said.
The senior BJP leader observed that while extreme weather events have become more frequent due to changing climatic conditions, several disasters are aggravated by avoidable human interventions. He said unchecked encroachments on natural water channels, unplanned urbanisation, indiscriminate construction, poor maintenance of drains, and inadequate storm-water management often convert heavy rainfall into large-scale disasters.
Adv Sharma strongly advocated the preparation of a comprehensive long-term blueprint to strengthen disaster resilience across Jammu & Kashmir. He said the recurring incidents of flash floods should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and planners to adopt scientific and sustainable approaches to urban and rural development.
He emphasised the urgent need to develop a modern, scientifically designed drainage network capable of handling intense rainfall, particularly in flood-prone and rapidly urbanising areas. “A robust drainage system, regular desilting of water channels, protection of natural streams, scientific land-use planning, and strict enforcement against encroachments are essential to prevent such disasters from recurring,” he asserted.
Adv Sharma further called for the strengthening of early warning systems, real-time weather monitoring, disaster response infrastructure, and community awareness programmes so that people living in vulnerable areas can receive timely alerts and take preventive measures well in advance.
He also suggested that periodic vulnerability assessments and district-level disaster management plans should be updated regularly in consultation with technical experts, environmental specialists, engineers, and local communities to ensure effective preparedness and swift response during emergencies.
Reiterating that protecting human life must remain the highest priority, Adv Devraj Sharma appealed to citizens to strictly follow advisories issued by the administration, avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas during heavy rainfall, and cooperate with rescue agencies in every possible manner.
“Every disaster teaches us valuable lessons. We must not wait for another tragedy to act. Jammu & Kashmir needs a visionary and scientific approach towards disaster management, sustainable infrastructure development, and environmental conservation. With proper planning, modern drainage systems, and coordinated preparedness, we can significantly reduce the loss of precious lives and property during future monsoon seasons,” he added.