Srinagar Aug 31 (KNS): Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) President and former minister Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen has expressed deep grief over the tragic loss of lives and widespread destruction caused by a series of cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides across Jammu and Kashmir during the past week. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Yaseen said that J&K has witnessed a chain of natural calamities in just a few days. A cloudburst in Doda’s Gandhor area claimed several lives and washed away property; heavy rains near Katra triggered floods and landslides that killed dozens of Vaishno Devi pilgrims and locals; Ramban’s Rajgarh tehsil was hit by a cloudburst on Saturday leaving four people dead and one missing; while a landslide in Reasi’s Badar village buried seven members of a family inside their house. “These repeated tragedies are not isolated events. They are part of a disturbing pattern of extreme weather which the government continues to treat casually,” Yaseen observed.
The former minister accused the administration of showing “visible apathy” and failing to provide timely relief and rehabilitation to affected families. He said the government’s promises have not translated into action on the ground. “The victims are crying for food, shelter and medicine. They need urgent compensation and rehabilitation, not review meetings and bureaucratic statements from Srinagar or Jammu.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe delay in assistance is rubbing salt into their wounds,” Yaseen said.
He also criticised mainstream regional political parties for issuing what he described as “irrelevant and diversionary statements” instead of visiting the victims and pressing the administration for accountability. “This is a time to stand with people in their hour of grief, not to indulge in political rhetoric that serves no purpose,” he said.
Calling for urgent measures, Yaseen demanded a special relief package covering ex-gratia to the families of the deceased, compensation for the injured, and financial support to rebuild damaged houses. He urged immediate restoration of road connectivity to cut-off villages, deployment of mobile health teams, and supply of essentials to flood-hit areas.
Emphasising the need for long-term planning, Yaseen said climate change has made J&K extremely vulnerable to cloudbursts and flash floods. He stressed that a comprehensive disaster management policy, effective early-warning systems and community-level preparedness are essential to minimise the impact of such recurring disasters.
“The government must wake up and act with urgency. The people of Ramban, Reasi, Doda and Katra cannot be left to face this catastrophe alone,” Yaseen said, assuring that the PDF will continue to raise its voice until adequate relief is delivered.(KNS)