Jammu, April 21 (KNS): The recent cloudburst in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district has left behind a trail of devastation — claiming lives, washing away homes, and damaging vital infrastructure. But as the region struggles to cope with the aftermath, questions are being raised over what many believe was a preventable tragedy.
Addressing a press conference at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office in Jammu, senior party leader Safeer Choudhary blamed “years of criminal negligence” for setting the stage for the disaster.
“Ramban has been looted in the name of development. This is not just a natural accident, it is the result of unchecked corruption and administrative apathy. We demand justice, not mere sympathy,” Choudhary told reporters.
The cloudburst has wiped out entire villages, submerged roads, and left the National Highway — considered the region's lifeline — in ruins. Critics argue the damage points to deep-rooted failures in governance.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Environmentalists and local communities have long voiced concerns over unplanned development in the region, highlighting issues like deforestation, unsafe tunneling, and ignored ecological assessments. According to Choudhary, these warnings were dismissed time and again.
“Why were large infrastructure projects approved without proper slope stability or drainage designs? Why were early warning systems not installed, despite repeated disasters in the past? And why has the National Highway project been sublet multiple times, compromising its safety?” he questioned.
While emergency teams continue rescue and relief operations, residents are stepping in to support each other, providing shelter and organizing aid. Despite the tragedy, Ramban’s people are showing resilience, vowing to rebuild and demanding accountability.
As the floodwaters recede, one message grows stronger: Ramban will no longer stay silent.(KNS)