Jammu & Kashmir today finds itself in the grip of an extraordinary crisis. On one hand, terrorist incidents have created fear and anxiety in the hearts of the people, while on the other, a series of natural calamities has shaken the region’s social and economic fabric. Cloudbursts, torrential rains, landslides, and flash floods have not only claimed precious human lives but also displaced hundreds of families and disrupted livelihoods. The rising waters of the Tawi River have submerged vast tracts of land, washed away bridges and roads, and left several areas completely cut off. Such devastation has not been witnessed in Jammu for nearly a century.
In such a situation, the most pressing question is: what immediate measures must be taken to heal the wounds of the people and help them recover? The foremost demand is that the Union Government should not treat this as an ordinary calamity but as a national tragedy. A comprehensive relief package must be announced without delay, ensuring that affected families receive financial assistance proportionate to their actual losses. Only then will they be able to begin rebuilding their lives.
Equally urgent is the role of insurance companies. Citizens who have faithfully paid their premiums over the years have every right to timely compensation in their hour of need. This is not merely a contractual obligation but a matter of human dignity and justice. Insurance companies must be instructed to immediately release at least 90 percent of the claims for damages to residential, commercial, and vehicular property. Such swift action will provide victims the necessary relief to start their recovery process. Any delay here will only fuel despair and erode public trust.
This tragedy also highlights a long-standing weakness in our disaster management and infrastructure preparedness. Had drainage systems been strengthened, water channels maintained, and preventive measures implemented in time, the scale of destruction might have been mitigated. Looking ahead, a robust long-term strategy must be drawn up to fortify disaster preparedness and ensure that the people of this region are not forced to endure such painful experiences time and again.
It is also time for the Union Government to stand by the people of Jammu with the same spirit it demonstrated during the floods of 2014 in Kashmir. This is not merely about financial aid but about restoring confidence and reaffirming the principle that every citizen, regardless of region, is equally entitled to the nation’s compassion and support.
The people of Jammu are passing through a phase of severe trial. To bring them relief, to share in their suffering, and to secure their future, immediate and empathetic intervention from the Centre is essential. Failure to act decisively at this moment will only deepen the crisis and squander an opportunity to show true solidarity. This is the time for the Government to prove that national unity is not just a slogan, but a living reality.DD