The Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on Monday pulled up the administration for its lack of preparedness against the looming flood threat in the Valley.
The court’s intervention is being seen as a move to push the government towards accountability and ensure timely action. Several experts observe that people of Kashmir cannot afford another tragedy like September 2014.
The case came up during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning flood management. The Bench, led by the Chief Justice, examined an urgent six-page report submitted by EPG Convenor Faiz Bakshi.
The findings laid bare alarming administrative inertia, weak flood-control mechanisms, and rampant encroachments on wetlands and water bodies that are crucial to Kashmir’s flood safety. The report flagged “grave deficiencies” in flood preparedness and highlighted risks to human life, property, and Kashmir’s fragile ecology.
Bakshi accused the government of being “clueless” and guilty of ignoring expert advice. The EPG report urged the court to impose an immediate ban on land allotments, transfers, and construction activities within 500 metres of wetlands. It specifically flagged projects such as Rakh Arth, Transworld University, and IIM Srinagar as dangerous examples of encroachment that could aggravate flood vulnerability.
The report further recommended the development of small water storages and hybrid pumped-storage systems across Kashmir’s river basins. These, it argued, would not only mitigate floods but also help address the Union Territory’s chronic power shortages.
Taking cognisance of the warnings, the court directed the Commissioner Secretaries of Irrigation and Flood Control and Housing and Urban Development, along with the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, to appear personally before it on Tuesday. The court also ordered the government to “take urgent steps and file a comprehensive action taken report (ATR)” by September 9.
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