India: Cloudburst in Kashmir Kills 46, Over 200 Missing

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5 days ago

Above: A residential houseboat is seen on the river Jhelum as it rains in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Aug. 14, 2025. Image copyright: Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto/Getty Images

story last updated 5 days ago

The Spin

Climate-concerned narrative

This tragedy highlights the urgent need for increased environmental oversight of development projects in fragile Himalayan ecosystems. Kishtwar's numerous hydroelectric projects have proceeded without proper environmental assessments, destabilizing the region's delicate balance. This is no longer a weather anomaly — it's a real-time climate crisis demanding urgent action, scientific insight and political resolve before resilience collapses into irreversible loss.

The Wire Focus Global Reporter

Climate-skeptic narrative

This tragic flood is indeed heartbreaking, but calling it proof of climate change is premature. Clouds and rain have been dumping water suddenly for centuries — this is geography, not ideology. The Himalayas are naturally prone to flash floods, especially during monsoon season, and nature can act unpredictably. Instead of rushing to blame "global warming," it's worth examining the role that local land misuse or poor infrastructure planning played.

India Today on X NCBI Mongabay India