Long-Term, Not Adhoc Response

The Valley has once again found itself under water. For several days now, continuous rainfall has left south and central Kashmir reeling, The Veshaw River in Kulgam crossed the danger mark, bridges have been closed in Anantnag and Pulwama, and nomadic families in Shopian were shifted to safer places. In Srinagar, breaches in the embankments near Budgam have inundated villages like Shalina, Rakh Shalina and Baghi Shakirshah, forcing mass evacuations.

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The administration, to its credit, has acted swiftly. Rescue teams of the SDRF, NDRF, police, and revenue officials are on the ground. Evacuation advisories were issued for several Srinagar localities, including Lasjan, Nowgam, Padshahibagh and Mehjoornagar. Relief centres were activated, boats deployed, and sandbags pressed into service to contain breaches. In Jammu too, the Union Government has deputed an inter-ministerial team to assess damages caused by incessant rains, cloudbursts and landslides.