Open house: floods have destroyed crop & displaced lakhs. is this a man-made disaster?

3-Pronged Strategy  to Tackle Floods

Unexpected, incessant and prolonged rains causing floods have caught both the people and the government by surprise. These cannot be labelled as man-made disasters. Like volcanoes, storms and cyclones, floods are also nature’s doing. However, poor preparedness, inadequate drainage systems, encroachments on flood catchment areas, the absence of regular desilting and de-weeding of rivers and drains, deforestation and a lack of proactive measures can transform a natural event into a man-made crisis. Since this is not going to be the last occurrence, the best solution is to adopt a long-term strategy to mitigate such disasters. A three-pronged plan should include annual desilting and de-weeding of all flood drains. Departments become complacent when there are no floods for several years. Restrict variable flood catchment areas of rivers from 3–5 km to 1–2 km and undertake deep digging there. Recovered sand and gravel could be used to fill low-lying areas, elevate land for highways and roads, and for construction. Strong RCC flood walls 5–6 feet high should be constructed to secure these areas. Land outside the walls can then be safely used for agriculture. Narrow river passages, such as a stretch of the Ghaggar in Haryana, should be widened. Construct a hydel channel across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat, draining into the Arabian Sea.

Bholla Singh Sidhu

Nature’s Wrath, Not Human Negligence

This is not a man-made disaster. The harsh reality is that no power in the world can prevent disasters when climatic conditions worsen. Not only the AAP government and the Centre but also Army officials are working tirelessly to provide relief to villagers. Deputy Commissioner, Sakshi Sawhney, has worked through nights in rain-affected villages in Amritsar and has been praised by villagers. Her eighteen hours of continuous field duty have won admiration. Though large-scale destruction of crops and homes has occurred across rural Punjab, nobody can be wholly blamed. It will take time to rebuild and restore normal life.

Sanjay Chawla

poor drainage caused waterlogging

In India, monsoon rains destroy roads every year. Water seeps into their layers, weakening the structure. Consequently, roads riddled with potholes have become routine hazards that lead to accidents, vehicle damage and endless frustration. Authorities often claim to repair thousands of potholes after each monsoon. Yet repairs are generally temporary and poorly executed, with potholes reappearing within weeks. The main causes include poor drainage systems leading to water stagnation, use of substandard materials and neglect of proper engineering, such as raised centres or cross-slopes. However, there is one shining example: Pune’s Jungli Maharaj (JM) Road, pothole-free for over 40 years despite heavy monsoon rains. Its success lies in quality initial construction, proper drainage, minimal digging, and consistent maintenance. Solutions for durable road networks include implementing IRC guidelines with high-quality materials, using polymer-modified bitumen for water resistance and allocating dedicated road upkeep budgets. We must abandon our habit of accepting temporary fixes and instead strive for excellence in providing such basic services.

Gaurav Soni

Urbanisation Fuels Flood Disasters

Unplanned and rapid urbanisation is a major contributor to disasters. Illegal mining also plays a key role. Poorly managed expansion transforms natural weather events into catastrophes. Studies show urbanisation increases flood peaks by 1.8–8 times and flood volumes by up to six times. It also destroys natural barriers. To limit damage, strict land-use policies must be implemented, avoiding construction in high-risk zones. Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) efforts, together with the activation of State Urban Planning and Disaster Management Agencies, must remain continuously operative, not just during crises.

MK Sharma

Encroachments, illegal Mining to blame

Governments cannot deflect responsibility for these floods. This is indeed a man-made disaster. Illegal sand mining under successive political leaders has weakened embankments (Dhussi Bundhs) and caused devastation. Encroachments along riverbeds and unplanned roads and flyovers—constructed in villages without thought for natural water flow—have added to the destruction. By playing with nature, people have worsened a natural calamity into a severe crisis.

Manoj Kumar

Victims Demand Relief, Not Blame Game

Flood-affected people are staring at devastation. Crops and homes lie destroyed, and thousands are displaced. Many believe that this tragedy is not solely natural but largely man-made. Farmers argue that poor maintenance of canals, embankments and drains allowed floodwaters to overflow into villages. Meanwhile, encroachments and unchecked sand mining have worsened the situation. Despite warnings, the state government failed to respond. Relief, when it came, was late and disorganised. The AAP government blames the Centre, while the Centre blames the state. Meanwhile, the victims want accountability, timely aid and preventive measures. Natural disasters cannot always be averted, but their impact can be minimised. The time has come for the Centre and states to rise above politics and act responsibly.

Balwinder Singh

Floods Show Nature’s Unmatched Might

Many accuse state and central governments of negligence, calling the flood a man-made disaster. I believe this criticism is misplaced. The destruction is largely the result of unprecedented rainfall. Rivers overflowed, embankments broke, and farmlands were inundated under relentless downpours. No amount of preparedness could have completely prevented this devastation. Instead of trading blame, what is needed is unity. The administration, NGOs and volunteers are working tirelessly for relief. Citizens too must cooperate. Long-term investment in stronger infrastructure is essential. But at present, the priority must be compassionate aid and rehabilitation for the victims.

Harnam Singh

Calamity Exposes Years of Neglect

The floods ravaging Punjab’s rural areas have raised a crucial question: was this truly a natural calamity or the result of negligence? Heavy rains are beyond human control, but the collapse of infrastructure points to long-standing failures. Villagers have long complained of silted drains, weak embankments and illegal construction along watercourses, but were ignored. When disaster came, there was no advance warning, no effective evacuation, and relief arrived late. Instead of taking responsibility, the AAP state government and the Centre traded charges. Development practices destroying rivers and farmlands, combined with political apathy, have turned seasonal rains into recurring tragedies. Unless action is taken to restore rivers, curb sand mining, and strengthen infrastructure, such calamities will repeat.

Mahabir Singh

Negligence made it Man-Made Disaster

The devastation caused by incessant rains, though a fury of nature, is largely the result of human negligence and has become a man-made disaster. It is the price we pay for unplanned and corrupt development. Both the state and central governments failed to take precautionary measures despite warnings and responded sluggishly once disaster struck. The underlying cause, however, is short-sightedness in land use and infrastructural development. The way forward lies in planned rehabilitation of people whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed. Immediate attention must be given to ending land encroachment and issuing tenders for infrastructural projects aimed at strengthening dams, canals and drainage systems.

Indu Aurora

Floods a Result of Governance Failure

The current floods in Punjab are a man-made tragedy, exposing the ruling AAP government’s failure despite having ample resources and state machinery at its disposal. Preventive measures such as desilting, drainage cleaning and strengthening river embankments should have been completed before the monsoon, but were ignored. Instead, the state government relied on outdated flood control centres at district headquarters without proper logistics, leaving rural areas defenceless. This neglect resulted in scenes of devastation that spiralled out of control. Timely action could have reduced the heavy loss of life and prevented large numbers of animals from being washed away. Continued illegal mining, encouraged under political patronage, further weakened embankments and paved the way for widespread destruction. Failure to act despite being in authority amounts to dereliction of duty. Just as accountability is demanded for administrative actions, the government must answer for turning this natural calamity into a man-made disaster.

Anil Vinayak

What’s the issue?

PUNJAB has witnessed the worst-ever floods in recent history, with border districts of Amritsar and Gurdaspur being hit the hardest. Hundreds of the villages were submerged while lakhs of people were badly impacted, causing loss of life and property. The clamour is growing amongst the general public if the

impact of floods could have been reduced by better

planning ahead of monsoons.

QUESTION for next week

Massive destruction to property caused due to floods has highlighted construction along the course of rivers. Should the government come out with a policy to regulate construction in the floodplains in state?

Suggestions in not more than 150 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (September 11)