AJK village calamity

Flash floods triggered by heavy rains caused an appalling loss of life and assets in a small village of AJK's Neelam Valley on Monday. According to press reports, at least 24 people, 18 of them young persons, who had come all the way from Faisalabad to study at a tableeghi jamaat madressah, were swept away by the raging waters. 50 houses and shops, and two mosques were badly damaged, while at least 12 vehicles went missing. Since the affected area is mountainous and lacks landline or mobile phone connectivity, the actual toll may be even higher. In fact, no one seems to know exact details of the tragedy. According to a news agency, 22 people were buried alive in a landslide set off by rains. 130 houses, 70 shops, six mosques and 15 vehicles were destroyed. Whatever the real number of lives lost and livelihoods ruined, it would be an enduring suffering for every affected family.
Flash floods are not a new phenomenon in this country. It has been a frequent occurrence in several areas of AJK and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Instead of waiting for a rain-induced disaster to happen, the National Disaster Management Authority should have a system in place to keep a watch and issue warnings about an imminent flash flood, and also help people to move to safe places. Damages may still be caused but not as much as have been seen in the present instance and many other areas before it. Things are likely to get worse in the coming years. Environmental scientists have long been warning Pakistan is one of the countries to experience alternate cycles of heavy floods and drought due to climate change. Already the change has been manifesting itself in recurring floods. Yet there is no sign of any effort to fill the gap between the threat and mitigation measures.
There are two obvious reasons flash floods create more devastation now than in the past. One is the haphazard growth of human habitations. The flow of rainwater through natural water channels into ponds or streams and rivers is increasingly being blocked by houses and other constructions, wreaking havoc on people. Authorities concerned must find a way of resolving this problem. Second is the wanton denuding of hilly areas of their forest cover. Trees are Nature's defence against such floods. Steps must be taken to reduce the risk flash floods pose to life and property.