In September 2014, the Kashmir region suffered disastrous floods across many of its districts caused by torrential rainfall and the floods were epic in nature as in History of Kashmir they were one of the worst floods witnessed in Kashmir causing great damage in form of tremendous economic loss and some human loss.
On September 7 and 8, in many parts of Srinagar’s neighbourhood, the water was about 12 feet (3.7 m) deep, submerging entire houses. Stranded residents left their homes to move in with friends or relatives in safer areas. In Srinagar , most of the city areas were submerged under water. The river Jhelum spilled over submerging Maisuma, Bemina Sonwar Bagh, Shivpora, Batwara, Pandrathan, LalChowk, Rajbagh, Jawahar Nagar, Gogji Bagh and Wazir Bagh neighbourhoods of city.
After one year, we are not sure that what steps have been taken or what steps would be taken to prevent a reputation of deluge like 2014. The environmental concerns remain – Illegal constructions still mar Kashmir, Wetlands being destroyed by human greed and Government apathy continues, Green gold in form of forests being vandalized continues and above all conversion of prime tourist resorts into concrete jungles continues .Unfortunately post one year of floods there are many questions and very few answers .
The Flood raised many other unanswered questions as to how almost all Srinagar was flooded in matter of just few days rain, Why did our entire drainage system collapse like pack of cards, why was government machinery absconding for so many days and why did entire communication system give-up and took days to recover. Victims continue to raise hue and cry over lack of help by the authorities especially with reference to letting them down on rehabilitation front.