Govt has not learned from 2014 floods: Hakeem Yaseen on multiple cloudburst tragedies

• Expresses sorrow over Vaishno Devi tragedy, slams govt for poor disaster preparedness
• Demands comprehensive disaster plan, immediate relief for affected families

SRINAGAR: Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) President and former Minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, on Thursday expressed deep grief and anguish over the large-scale loss of lives caused by the unprecedented rainfall, cloudburst, and flash floods in Jammu province.

He said the tragic incident, in which at least 41 people, including a large number of Vaishno Devi pilgrims, lost their lives in Reasi and Doda districts between Tuesday and Wednesday, is a grim reminder of how vulnerable Jammu and Kashmir remains to natural calamities.

Extending condolences to the bereaved families, Yaseen prayed for the speedy recovery of all those injured.

“The calamity has shaken the entire region. At a time when people from across the country come for spiritual solace at Vaishno Devi, such a tragedy has brought unimaginable pain to the families who lost their loved ones,” he said. Yaseen said the scale of the disaster has once again exposed the “fragile disaster preparedness” of the administration.

“It is shocking that even after the horrifying memories of the 2014 floods in Kashmir Valley, the government has failed to put in place effective disaster management systems. We have not learned lessons from the past. Early warning systems remain weak, embankments remain vulnerable, and coordination among agencies during crises is still poor,” he said.

Criticizing the reactive approach of the administration, the PDF President said disaster management in Jammu and Kashmir largely exists on paper and is seldom visible on the ground.

He said every year people are forced to pay with their lives due to landslides, cloudbursts, and floods, while the government issues advisories only after tragedies strike.

“The human cost of these disasters is far too high. A region that has witnessed massive destruction in 2014 should have been better prepared by now,” Yaseen added.

Calling for a comprehensive and scientific action plan, Yaseen urged the UT administration to strengthen flood control measures, river embankments, drainage systems, and to establish dedicated rescue infrastructure across vulnerable districts.

He also demanded that the Centre extend immediate relief and compensation to the affected families, particularly the pilgrims who came from outside states and lost their lives.

“The time has come for the government to stop mere lip service and take concrete, time-bound measures. J&K cannot afford to face the same tragedies again and again. Lessons of 2014 must not be forgotten, otherwise we will continue to witness devastation on this scale,” Yaseen said.

He further appealed for immediate review of disaster preparedness across all pilgrimage routes, tourist destinations, and flood-prone belts in Jammu and Kashmir, so that the safety of pilgrims, visitors, and locals is never compromised again.