“Amidst floods, communication networks failed, intensifying fear and isolation. This hindered rescue efforts by separating families, stranding travelers, and slowing relief operations.”
The recent floods and landslides in Jammu and Kashmir have once again revealed not only the fragility of our physical infrastructure but also the vulnerability of our communication networks. As rivers breached embankments, highways crumbled, and families scrambled for safety, mobile and internet services collapsed across many parts of the Valley. In an age when connectivity is as essential as food and shelter, the silence of phones and the blackout of networks deepen fear, confusion, and isolation. Families separated by floodwaters were unable to reach each other, stranded travelers could not call for help, and local authorities struggled to coordinate rescue teams. Relief operations by the Army, NDRF, and police were slowed down because communication channels that should have guided them failed in the very hour they were needed most. In some villages, residents relied on word of mouth or physical messengers to convey emergencies. For thousands, the lack of information was more terrifying than the rising waters themselves. This is not a new story. The Valley has faced communication breakdowns during every major crisis—the devastating 2014 floods, heavy snowfall in 2019, and now the 2025 deluge. Despite promises and some improvements, the reality is stark: Jammu and Kashmir’s communication backbone remains too fragile to withstand extreme weather events. Mobile towers lack backup power, internet cables are easily disrupted, and contingency plans for alternative communication remain inadequate.
The lesson is clear. Communication resilience must become a pillar of disaster preparedness. Authorities need to harden telecom infrastructure against floods and landslides, ensure backup power for mobile towers, and establish satellite-based systems that can function when conventional networks fail. The Union Government has already directed disaster agencies to adopt Artificial Intelligence and predictive models for early warnings; equal urgency must be shown in guaranteeing that such warnings actually reach the people when disaster strikes. Telecom operators, too, cannot wash their hands of responsibility.
“In times of crisis, like the recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir, effective communication is vital. The silence that follows a disaster is as deadly as the disaster itself, causing delays in relief efforts, spreading fear, and leading to unnecessary loss of life. Building resilience means empowering people with the tools to keep information flowing. This requires prioritizing robust and redundant communication systems alongside physical infrastructure like embankments and roads.”
Operating in a disaster-prone region requires investment in resilient infrastructure and clear protocols for emergency response. Mobile towers on wheels, satellite phones for district headquarters, and drone-based relay systems should be ready for deployment. The private sector must work with government agencies to create a communication safety net that does not collapse with the first landslide. At the same time, local communities need training in traditional methods of communication. Sirens, radio broadcasts, and volunteer-run panchayat information centers can fill temporary gaps when high-tech systems fail. Resilience is not only about machines; it is about empowering people with tools to keep information flowing in crises. Every disaster in J&K delivers the same message: without reliable communication, relief is delayed, fear multiplies, and lives are lost unnecessarily. The recent floods have reminded us, once again, that silence kills as much as the waters do. If we are serious about building resilience, securing robust and redundant communication systems must be as high a priority as building embankments and restoring roads.
