In Indian-controlled Kashmir, a huge monsoon-related landslide has killed at least 33. This latest tragedy comes on the heels of some of the most intense rainfall ever recorded in the region. Second, a landslide hit the area near the Vaishno Devi statue, another religious pilgrimage location. Horrific monsoon rains, as the seasonal deluge that covers much of South Asia has been worsening for days, caused the calamity. Meanwhile, Indian state Jammu saw its worst 24-hour extreme rainfall on record. Incredibly, 296mm of that fell in one day, beating the previous record set in 1973 by 9%.
First responders estimate that the recent deluges have already claimed hundreds of lives, with many still missing. These deadly conditions have noticeably escalated since the beginning of this year’s monsoon season. In India, monsoon-related disasters have already killed more than 1,200 people this year since June. Pakistan has seen at least 800 deaths from the same unfolding disaster.
Severe Weather Conditions
The tragedy that occurred last night at the Vaishno Devi shrine is immensely tragic. At the same time, neighbouring Udhampur district received a record 629.4mm of rain within 24 hours. The storms and extreme weather have had a devastating impact across the area. The Tawi River breached its banks and flooded ground floors of homes and a historic Hindu temple. This reckless gamble has put the safety and welfare of local residents—not to mention the health and future of our planet—at grave risk.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply pained” at the loss of life in the calamity. The tragedy was “saddening,” he added. Emergency responders continue to work tirelessly in the Katra area, striving to reach survivors trapped by the debris of the landslide and provide necessary aid to those affected.
Impact on Infrastructure and Communities
The infrastructure has been badly damaged by the extreme landslides that accompanied the heavy rains across all of Jammu and Kashmir. Most major roads, the lifeselines of emergency response, have been cutoff, making rescue efforts and the delivery of emergency supplies almost impossible. Even as residents continue to recover, they are posed with additional risks from flooding caused by torrential rainfalls.
Acknowledging the extraordinary circumstances, Indian authorities have moved briskly to adapt. They have turned all the gates of significant dams on rivers across their side of the Kashmir area. This action focuses Pakistan’s attention on the risk of flooding downstream. Perhaps most importantly, it shines a spotlight on just how connected water management is in this hypercompact border region.
Climate Change Considerations
This year’s monsoon season has once again highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters in South Asia, a trend closely linked to climate change and rising global temperatures. Vast areas of the region frequently suffer from inundation and sediment disasters in the June-September annual monsoon season. Experts say climate change is making these storms worse. In turn, communities that tend to be the least equipped to withstand the worst effects suffer more catastrophic impacts.
