Natural Hazards
J&K is among the most hazard-prone regions of India: young mountains, heavy snow, steep slopes and active faults.
| Hazard | Where | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Earthquakes | Zones IV and V (high risk) | 8 October 2005 (Kashmir earthquake, centred near Muzaffarabad; severe in Uri, Poonch) |
| Floods | Jhelum basin, Chenab | 1893, 1959 and the great flood of September 2014 (Srinagar was submerged) |
| Cloudbursts | Ladakh, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Amarnath | Leh (August 2010), Amarnath (July 2022), Chasoti, Kishtwar (August 2025) |
| Landslides | Ramban, Banihal, Doda, Reasi | Highway closures |
| Avalanches | Gurez, Kupwara, Zojila, Siachen | Siachen (2016) killed ten soldiers |
| Snow and cold waves | Kashmir, Ladakh | Chillai Kalan |
| Drought | Jammu foothills (Kandi) | |
| Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) | Ladakh, Kishtwar | Risk from melting glaciers |
Why J&K is vulnerable
- Plate collision is still active.
- Steep slopes, weak Shiwalik rocks and deforestation cause landslides.
- The Jhelum has a very gentle slope and the Baramulla gorge is a bottleneck.
- Encroachment of flood channels and wetlands.
Disaster management
- NDMA and SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority) under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- Flood Control dept; the Flood Control and Drainage plan after 2014; the Jhelum Flood Recovery Project.
- Early warning, Avalanche warning by DGRE (Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment) for the army and the public.
Keep practising
Notes are only half the work. Test yourself with questions and discuss doubts with other aspirants.
Prepared for exam revision from standard sources, official publications and the Census. Figures and recent developments change, so check official sources before relying on them. Found a mistake? Tell us.