The state of Jammu and Kashmir is very distinct from the rest of the country with respect to topography, climate, economy, social setting and strategic location. The state is a multi hazard prone region with natural disasters like earthquakes, floods , landslides, avalanches, high velocity winds, snow storms, besides manmade disasters including road accidents and fires etc. occurring in various parts of the state.
Some of the major hazards that happen or have the potential to occur can be classified as geological hazards, hydro-meteorological hazards, industrial hazards and biological hazards.
Earthquakes
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is the western most extension of the Himalayan mountain range in India. It is classified in Seismic Zone IV and V, with intensity MSK of VIII to IX or more.
Kashmir North and Kashmir South districts lie in Zone V. Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur, Jammu, Kathua, Leh, Ladakh and Tribal Territory districts lie in Zone IV. A major portion of districts in Jammu and Kashmir falls under seismic V zone. Regions in the following districts such as Anantnag, Budgam, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Kupwara, Pulwama, Ramban, Shopian and Srinagar districts occupy seismic V area and the remaining under seismic IV zone.
Landslides
Besides earthquakes, landslides are geological hazards that are common and peculiar to the region. In Jammu and Kashmir, the mass movement varies in magnitude from soil creep to landslides. Solifluction is another type of mass movement that is common on the higher snow covered ranges of the state. Flash floods particularly in narrow river gorges are the cause of some of the major landslides in Jammu and Kashmir. These flash floods trigger landslides in the region eventually jeopardizing the stability of the hill as a whole.
The vulnerability of geologically young unstable and fragile rocks of the state has increased many times in the recent past due to various unscientific developmental activities. Deforestation, unscientific road construction and terracing, encroachment on steep hill slopes are anthropogenic activities which have increased the frequency and intensity of landslides.
Snow Avalanches, Snow Storm and Snow Fall
Avalanches, river like flow of snow or ice descending from mountain tops are common in the high ranges of Jammu and Kashmir specifically the higher reaches of Kashmir and Gurez valleys, Kargil and Ladakh. Some of the major roadways are highly vulnerable to avalanches in the state. It is very difficult to predict avalanches as they are rarely observed closely and normally occur during a short time period of one or two minutes. During winter, the valley of Kashmir receives the snow fall and rainfall from the winds arising from Mediterranean Sea. The degree of coolness is determined by the altitude of the zone.
Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi, Leh, Bandipora, Kargil, Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam, Shopian, Kulgam are high impact avalanche prone districts in Jammu and Kashmir.
Windstorm
Windstorms are high velocity winds that sweep with a wind speed o f more than 55 km per hour. The windstorm occurrence in the state is mostly during spring and summer and often leads negative impact to lives and property. One of the major reasons for the catastrophe is due to the lack of early warning procedures and preparedness measures. Non availability of technical expert to aware the people to construct wind proof roof tops as well as the deficiency in building code standard also put the lives and property of people under risk.
Flash Floods
Flash floods, short lived extreme events, which usually occur under slowly moving or stationary thunderstorms, lasting less than 24 hours are common hazard events in the state. As a result of the high velocity of the current, which can wash away all obstacles in its way, this phenomenon has resulted in enormous loss of life and property in various parts of the region. Floods also occur in the summer when heavy rain is followed by a bright sun, which melts the snow. If an embankment is breached or topped, a district which is dry a few hours back could turn into a lake after a few hours.
Seventeen districts in the state such as Doda, Ganderbal, Samba, Pulwama, Kishtwar, Kathua, Ramban, Reasi, Bandipora, Leh, Srinagar, Shopian, Samba, Budgam, Udhampur, Kulgam and Rajouri are greatly affected by flash floods.
Cloudburst
Cloudburst is a disastrous weather condition caused by the downpour, over a small geographical area for a relatively short period. A cloudburst is construed by the meteorologist when there is an intense rainfall at a rate of 100 mm per hour. At the event of cloudburst, 20 mm of rain may fall in a few minutes. The heavy down power often leads to landslides, flashflood and pose threat to life and property. Topography of the state plays a crucial role in the formation of cloudburst. The hilly terrain of the state favors the formation of cumulonimbus cloud. This leads to the shedding of larger droplets of water at a higher rate, resulting in higher impact on the ground. Jammu and Kashmir State DM Plan Final Draft 27 Our preliminary analysis shows that the high impact areas in Jammu and Kashmir due to cloudburst are Budgam, Leh, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, Reasi, Bandipora, Kulgam, Rajouri, and Srinagar districts.
Drought
The south-west monsoon plays a significant role in determining the sustenance of agriculture depended population in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. More than 75 % of the populations in Jammu & Kashmir are directly or indirectly depended on agriculture for livelihood. The deficiency in monsoon rain quite often results in drought, affecting the livelihood of the rural population. The state is prone to deficient rainfall once in three years, putting lives of the majority of population at stake.
Biological Hazards
Biological hazards with respect to Jammu and Kashmir could be understood in terms of epidemics among humans, livestock and pest and disease with respect to agriculture. The prevalence of livestock disease has been recorded in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Outbreaks normally occur during the post monsoon season. The prominent diseases reported are Black Quarter (BQ), Haemorrhagic Septicemia (HS), SG-POX and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). Severe outbreaks were observed in Udhampur, Doda and Kathua districts. Pest related problems are another biological hazard prevalent in the state. Pest attack not only decreases the productivity of the fruits but also the quality of the fruits which in turn affect the livelihood of the people who depend on agriculture. The need to provide effective and ecological sound insect and disease management is very essential.
Forest Fires
The state of Jammu and Kashmir is well endowed with forest resources that play a significant role in protecting the ecosystem of the region. Forest occupies about 20,230 sq km of area in the Jammu and Kashmir State DM Plan Final Draft 33 state. They serves as a catchment for river basin which enhances the soil stability thus prevent soil erosion. Every year in Jammu and Kashmir, there is a high probability of forest fire in the months of May and June. Though forests are prone to fire during the dry season, human activities such as military action, timber smuggling etc holds a huge responsibility for the onset of the fire. Forest cover in the districts of Kishtwar, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba, Doda, Kupwara and Srinagar are areas that are prone to forest fire.
Industrial Hazards
There has not been any report of industrial hazards in the state. Industrial hazard principally consist of four hazards such as fire, explosion, toxic release and environmental damage. However, the state needs to be cautious of the industrial wastes that are disposed, which could have severe impact on the ecology and health of the citizens in the state.
To achieve the vision of a safe and secure Jammu and Kashmir, the following current realities need to be understood, recognized and necessary corrective measures has to be taken.
- A detailed Hazard Risk Vulnerability Atlas for the state of Jammu and Kashmir is essential.
- Incorporation of building code while constructing new structures or retrofitting old ones.
- Establishing reliable mechanism and expertise for assessing damage caused due to natural hazards.
- Setting up efficient, operational EOCs at Jammu and Srinagar respectively, ensuring a very strong network of coordinating authorities at all levels (State, District, Tehsil, Block level)
- Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction in Development Planning
- Strengthening professional expertise in dealing with disaster risk reduction specifically with respect to planning, logistic management, evacuation and shelter. • Operationalizing DM plan at the Tehsil and District level.
- Strengthening Community based Disaster Risk Reduction initiatives.