Presented by ISHFAQ HUSSAIN MALIK, Research Scholar, Dept. of Geography, Aligarh Muslim University (A.M.U), Aligarh at IJSARD (International Journal of Socio-legal Analysis and Rural Development) International Virtual Conference 2017 On Law and Social Sciences.

1. Disaster Impact and Response- A Retrospect
of 2014 Flood in Kashmir Valley.
ISHFAQ HUSSAIN MALIK
Research Scholar, Department of Geography, AMU
Aligarh

2. INTRODUCTION
 Urbanisation is defined as the process of transformation of a society from predominantly rural
to predominantly urban which represents major and irreversible changes in production and
consumption and the way people interact with nature. It is closely linked to industrialization,
modernization and sociological process of rationalization which depicts rapid and historic
transformation of human social roots on a global scale whereby predominantly rural culture is
being replaced by predominantly urban culture. Urbanisation includes growth of the urban
portion of a country’s population, diffusion of urban values and standards throughout a society
and spatial concentration of people who are working in non-agricultural activities. City is a
structure in which ideology is reproduced. However, currently the city structurally serves to the
reproduction of ongoing capitalist relation in the society which results into exploitation of
people by the upper class. At present, about 50 percent of world population lives in urban
areas.
 The unplanned, haphazard and unregulated urbanisation is leading to several kinds of
socio-economic, environmental and political problems and also make places vulnerable to
various hazards and risks. Disaster risk in urban settings is quite distinct and is
influenced by the processes of urbanisation and other underlying socio-economic and
political factors. Disaster-induced loss and damage in such situations are significantly
high. Urban flooding and it’s socio-economic and environmental impacts has brought
serious threats and losses to many urban environments.

3. Aims and Objectives:
• To examine the socio-economic impact of 2014 floods
in Kashmir.
• To highlight the factors which caused such a huge
disaster.
• To highlight the role of local people in rescue
operations.
• To suggest some measures which can help in reduction
of loss in future.

4. The 2014 Flood in Jammu & Kashmir in nutshell.
• J & K received heavy rain in the month of September 2014, which led to
widespread devastation across the Kashmir Valley. All the aspects of life were
affected and people suffered a great loss.

5. • 277 people dead, 2600 villages flooded and 390
submerged, Rs. 1.0 trillion economic loss, 5 million
people affected, 2 lakh people rescued.
Causes of 2014 floods in J & K ( with special
reference to Srinagar city )
1) Natural causes:
a) Excessive rainfall due to Southwest monsoon and cloud burst.
b) Climate change.
c) Extensive catchment area of Jhelum river.

6. 2) Anthropogenic causes:
i) Lack of technology, awareness and coordination.
ii) Rapid and unplanned urbanisation.
iii) Encroachment on the banks of Jhelum river.
iv) Deforestation
v) History of neglect.

7. Socio-Economic Impact
A) Economic Impact.
• Flooding in J & K and Pakistan became the costliest weather event
of 2014 ( Global Catastrophe Recap, September 2014).
• Rs. 1.0 trillion loss.
i) Effect on Agriculture and allied activities: Damage to 3,00,000 hectares of
crops which accounts for Rs.3,674 crore loss, Rs 1,000 crore to the apple crop in
Kashmir (ASSOCHAM India, 2014).
ii) Damage of houses and infrastructure: About 2,600 villages flooded
and 300 villages submerged.

10. iii) Damage of Railways, Bridges, Electricity and
Communication.
iv) Loss of Tourism Industry and Handicraft Industry:
v) Effect on State GDP:
vi) Loss of livestock.
B) Social Impact:
i) Loss of Human lives: 277 people died.
ii) Displacement of people
iii) Diseases:

11. vi) Loss of records.
Suggestions
a) Strengthening of embankments and bunds along Jhelum river and
rivulets.
b) De-siltation of lakes and other water bodies in J & K.
c) Ban on construction of houses and infrastructure along the banks of
Jhelum.
d) Ban on the conversion of wetlands into built-up and agricultural
areas.
e) Disaster warning stations should be established at various places in
the state.
v) Effect on Education system

12. • The 2014 floods in J & K resulted into socio-economic,
environmental, political and psychological problems in the
state. The main causes of it were the anthropogenic as
human beings have become greedy and have destroyed
the natural balance. Nature is neutral and we should stop
blaming it for the destruction. The unresolved dispute of J
& K caused political problems in the state which has
systematically deprived it of an effective regime or
apparatus of disaster prediction as well as management.
Proper planning and political stability are key factors to
reduce the impact of disasters in the state in future.

13. THANKS