This monsoon, northern India has witnessed exceptionally heavy rainfall, notably in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Delhi. Rivers like the Yamuna soared past danger marks, prompting mass evacuations in Delhi and elsewhere.

The twin cloudbursts near Chisoti in Kishtwar district on August 14 triggered catastrophic flash floods, claiming over 65 lives. Experts attribute these intensified rain events to climate change because warmer air holds more moisture, fueling severe, rapid downpours in mountainous regions. But that is not all. Urban expansion into floodplains, encroachment on wetlands (like Dal, Wular lakes), siltation, and pollution, undermines the land’s natural ability to absorb rainfall and regulate flooding. Deforestation in areas like Kupwara, Ramban, and Anantnag is causing soil instability and frequent landslides.

Reduced winter snowfall and glacial retreat with (less than 30% glacier mass in places like Kolahoi and Thajiwas) are altering hydrology and increasing runoff volume. Disaster preparedness remains fragmented. Despite IMD warnings, flood forecasting and early action systems are inadequate in J&K. There is limited radar coverage, no flood forecasting stations, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) lacks basic gear like boats and jackets at the time of disasters. Kashmir’s flood frequency roughly once in every six years is among the highest in the region. Yet, underinvestment in flood-control infrastructure remains evident. Though an amount of over ₹2,000 crore was sanctioned in post-2014 flood packages, phase-II of implementation is far from execution.

India’s recent floods are a tragic clash between a changing climate and outdated planning. Cloudbursts, glacial melt, and heavy monsoons are unavoidable; how society responds is not. The repeated disasters are avoidable and must be met with systemic change.

A shift from reactive relief approach to proactive risk reduction approach is imperative if we are to spare future generations from repeated devastation. The complexity and urgency of contemporary sustainability issues often demand specialized knowledge that goes beyond administrative skills. Sustainable development demands informed decisions rooted in scientific understanding, technological innovation, and long-term vision. Yet, in India, policy-making continues to be dominated by generalists who have limited involvement with domain experts........

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