Nature’s Fury or Gaps in Urban Planning? Alarm Bells Are Ringing
A Small Downpour, A Big Warning: Have We Learnt the Lessons of 2014?
Dr. Fiaz Fazili
“Pushraw Khudayas”—a familiar Kashmiri expression uttered whenever calamity strikes, meaning, “Entrust the matter to Allah.” It reflects our faith and reminds us that ultimately all affairs rest with the Almighty. Yet our faith also teaches responsibility. Trust in Allah must be accompanied by planning, preparedness and prudent action.
Before I begin, a confession. This article should ideally have been written by experts in urban planning, hydrology, drainage engineering, disaster management or climate science. Their voices deserve to lead this conversation.
Yet, over the past two days, beginning with the first spell of rain, one subject dominated almost every gathering I attended. In Kashmir, weddings and funerals often become our informal “Citizens’ Parliament”—places where people from every walk of life exchange news, debate public issues and search collectively for answers. Engineers, architects, administrators, doctors, teachers, businessmen and ordinary citizens all had one question: Why does a relatively modest downpour bring a modern city to a standstill?
The discussions were thoughtful, sometimes emotional, often technical, and occasionally spiritual. Many urged me to put these concerns into writing—not to accuse anyone, but to place before the public the questions repeatedly raised by citizens and professionals alike. If these observations stimulate informed discussion, encourage technical review and help strengthen disaster preparedness, this article will have served its purpose.
Nature has once again spoken. The only question is whether we are listening.
Every natural calamity carries two messages—one scientific and one spiritual. Science teaches us to understand hazards and reduce risk through better planning, engineering and preparedness. Faith reminds us of our vulnerability, urging humility, gratitude, repentance and compassion.
The recent waterlogging across Srinagar after a relatively modest spell of rain should therefore be viewed not merely as an inconvenience but as a warning. Roads became impassable, hospitals reported flooding, residential areas were inundated, traffic collapsed and emergency services struggled. If such disruption follows moderate rainfall, it is reasonable to ask whether we are adequately prepared for a far more intense weather event.
For Kashmiris, memories of the devastating 2014 floods remain vivid. Families lost loved ones, homes, businesses and livelihoods. Public infrastructure suffered enormous damage. At the same time, society demonstrated extraordinary resilience, volunteerism and solidarity. Twelve years later, the important question is not whether that tragedy should be remembered—it is whether its lessons have been fully translated into preparedness.
Climate scientists have consistently warned that climate change is increasing the frequency of short-duration, high-intensity rainfall and urban flooding across many parts of the world. Kashmir is unlikely to remain insulated from these evolving patterns. Urban resilience must therefore become an integral part of planning rather than a response after every flood.
Urban flooding is rarely the consequence of rainfall alone. It usually reflects the interaction between natural processes and human decisions. Drainage systems, storm-water channels, wetlands, floodplains, road geometry, construction practices, maintenance, land-use planning and civic behaviour collectively determine whether rainwater flows safely or accumulates on roads and enters homes.
Every episode of flooding should therefore become an opportunity to improve.Several experienced engineers have, over the years, expressed concerns regarding Srinagar’s drainage infrastructure. Among them, senior civil engineer Er. Manzoor Nawchoo has repeatedly highlighted issues relating to hydraulic gradients, carrying capacity of drains, connectivity between drainage networks, disposal levels, routine desilting and engineering supervision. These technical observations deserve careful examination by independent experts. Whether these concerns fully explain the recent flooding should be determined through scientific investigation rather than speculation.
What is required today is not a search for scapegoats but a comprehensive technical review.Every storm drain, culvert, pumping station, flood channel and natural watercourse should undergo independent assessment by experts in hydrology, urban planning, drainage engineering, climate science and disaster management. Modern tools including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), digital elevation models, hydraulic modelling, rainfall simulations and flood-vulnerability mapping can identify weak points before disaster strikes.
Equally important is the protection of Kashmir’s natural flood defences.Wetlands have historically functioned as the Valley’s natural sponges, temporarily storing excess water before releasing it gradually into rivers and lakes. Encroachments, unplanned development and degradation of these ecosystems reduce this buffering capacity and increase flood vulnerability. Their restoration is therefore not only an environmental priority but also an essential component of disaster risk reduction.
The discussion should also extend beyond Srinagar.The recent reports regarding the collapse of a shopping complex at Beerwah in Budgam during heavy rainfall raise broader questions that deserve objective technical evaluation. Without attributing blame or prejudging any investigation, it is appropriate to ask whether adequate geotechnical studies were undertaken before construction, whether flood-risk assessments and environmental impact considerations were incorporated, whether natural drainage channels and buffer zones were respected, and whether existing regulations adequately address construction near water bodies.
Such questions are not accusations; they are essential components of responsible governance.Perhaps the time has come for a valley-wide vulnerability audit of major public buildings, commercial complexes, hospitals, schools and residential colonies situated near rivers, streams, wetlands and flood channels. Prevention remains far less expensive than reconstruction.
Preparedness also extends beyond engineering.Disaster management begins long before emergency response teams arrive. Hospitals require flood contingency plans. Ambulance routes must remain functional under adverse weather conditions. Critical infrastructure—including electricity, telecommunications and water supply—must be protected against flooding. Mock drills should become routine rather than exceptional.
Equally important is civic responsibility.Blocked drains are frequently caused not only by inadequate maintenance but also by indiscriminate disposal of plastic bags, bottles, construction debris and household waste. Every piece of litter entering a drain ultimately reduces its carrying capacity. Public awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement against illegal dumping and community participation in keeping drains free of waste can significantly complement engineering solutions.
Recent events also underline the importance of preventive maintenance. Drainage systems cannot be expected to perform efficiently if desilting occurs only after flooding begins. Regular inspection, cleaning and maintenance before the rainy season should become institutional practice rather than emergency response.
Encouragingly, the Hon’ble Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry into the causes of waterlogging following the recent rainfall. This is a welcome development. Its true value, however, will depend not on assigning blame but on identifying root causes and implementing sustainable corrective measures.
The inquiry presents an opportunity to move beyond short-term responses and develop a long-term urban resilience strategy for Kashmir. Such a programme could include third-party technical audits of drainage infrastructure, GIS-based flood-risk mapping, updated hydraulic modelling based on current rainfall patterns, geotechnical review of vulnerable structures, restoration of wetlands, strict enforcement of building regulations, routine preventive maintenance, community awareness initiatives and annual pre-monsoon disaster preparedness exercises.
Natural disasters also remind us to look inward.
The Qur’an states: “Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what people’s hands have earned, so that He may let them taste part of what they have done, that perhaps they may return.” (30:41)
This verse should not be interpreted as attributing divine judgement to any specific event. Rather, it reminds humanity to reflect upon its conduct, respect the balance of nature and fulfil its responsibilities towards society and the environment.
Preparedness, accountability, science and spirituality need not stand in opposition. They complement one another.
Nature has once again conducted an unannounced disaster drill.The question before us is simple. If a relatively modest rainfall can disrupt a major city, are we fully prepared for an event producing two or three times that intensity?No society can prevent every natural disaster. Every society, however, can reduce its vulnerability through better planning, stronger institutions and informed public participation.
The objective today is not to find fault with individuals or institutions before investigations are complete. It is to ensure that the painful memories of 2014 remain lessons—not prophecies.
Alarm bells are ringing. Wise societies do not silence them; they listen, learn and act before the next storm arrives., Is anybody listening.
Tail Piece
“Pushraw Khudayas (leave it to Allah) is our faith, but the Prophet ﷺ also taught us: ‘Tie your camel, then put your trust in Allah.’ True tawakkul means taking every possible asbāb (practical means) to prevent loss or catastrophe, while placing the outcome in Allah’s hands.”
(STRAIGHT TALK COMMUNICATIONS EXCLUSIVE. The author is a healthcare quality expert and a concerned citizen, who writes frequently on public policy, healthcare, urban governance, environmental sustainability, and civic accountability drfiazfazili@gmail.com.)
