Context:

• The devastating floods and landslides during Monsoon 2025 in Jammu & Kashmir (J&G), Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand highlighted both the strengths and limitations of India’s disaster response system.
• While armed forces, disaster response agencies, and volunteers showcased commendable speed and innovation, the events underscored the fragility of Himalayan ecosystems, and growing climate change
• Hence, there is the urgent need for community participation and technological scaling-up in disaster preparedness.

Impact of Monsoon 2025:

• J&K:
  • Extreme rain unleashed floods across the Chenab and Tawi basins, claiming over 140 lives.
  • Army built emergency Bailey bridges, IAF deployed helicopters, and NDRF conducted evacuations.
  • Communication restored by joint efforts of Army, police, CRPF, and service providers.
• Punjab:
  • Swollen Ravi, Beas, Sutlej with high inflows at Bhakra and Pong dams.
  • NDMA coordinated with the Central Water Commission (CWC), IMD, Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to regulate releases.
  • Critical life-saving operation near Madhopur Headworks - where Army Aviation airlifted CRPF personnel minutes before a building collapsed - emblematic of the agility of responders.
• Himachal Pradesh:
  • Flash floods, slope failures in Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti.
  • Over 10,000 stranded pilgrims of the Manimahesh Yatra were evacuated safely.
  • Border Roads Organisation (BRO) restored connectivity, drones were used for damage assessment.
• Uttarakhand:
  • Floods and landslides disrupted pilgrimages and villages.
  • The Army constructed 400-foot aerial cableway, restored bridges.
  • IAF’s Chinooks and civil helicopters deployed for relief.
  • Drones, satellite communication, and Incident Command Posts ensured real-time coordination.

Strengths of India’s Disaster Response:

• Multi-agency coordination: Army, Air Force, ITBP, SDRF, BRO, NDRF, NDMA.
• Use of technology: Drones, Doppler radars, satellite communication, OneWeb links
• Local participation: Volunteers, officials, community-driven efforts.
• Innovation in relief: Aerial cableways, drone-based mapping, nowcasting capabilities of IMD.

Gaps and Challenges:

• Climate vulnerability of Himalayan states: Cloudbursts, landslides, glacial lake outbursts.
• Unregulated development: Construction in riverbeds, slope destabilisation, weak enforcement of building codes.
• Community unpreparedness: Limited citizen awareness despite warnings issued through SMS and the Sachet app.
• Pilgrimage risks: Pilgrimage corridors like Machail or Gangotri remain vulnerable because footfall continues even during red alerts.
• Technology gaps: Limited GIS-based (Geographical Information Systems) risk mapping, insufficient localised early-warning systems.

Way Forward:

• Strengthening technology and institutions:
  • The Geological Survey of India (GSI) must expand landslide mapping based on soil soaking and slope gradient.
  • The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) must monitor glacial lakes and debris flows on a 24×7 basis.
  • GIS-based risk mapping and AI-driven predictive surveillance for flash floods.
  • Increase density of Doppler radars across valleys.
  • Early warning systems for cloudbursts, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts must be made more localised.
• Community-centric preparedness:
  • Expand NDMA’s Aapda Mitra Programme to schools, panchayats, resident welfare associations (RWAs).
  • Conduct regular mock drills for citizens.
  • Promote awareness of evacuation routes, relief shelters, emergency response steps.
• Sustainable reconstruction:
  • Response is only the first chapter. Recovery and reconstruction - the “build back better” phase - are equally crucial.
  • Roads must be rebuilt with slope stabilisation in mind.
  • River embankments must be reinforced while controlling illegal mining.
  • Strict enforcement of no-build zones along riverbanks.
  • Adoption of seismic codes and eco-sensitive building practices.
• Integrating civil society:
  • Use local knowledge for district disaster management authorities.
  • Encourage public participation as seriously as voting or paying taxes.

Conclusion:

• Monsoon 2025 has shown the professionalism and courage of India’s disaster responders but also exposed structural and societal gaps in disaster management.
• Building resilience in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem requires a technologically empowered, community-driven, and sustainable approach.
• Only when citizens and the state act together can India ensure true disaster preparedness in the era of climate change and rapid development.