Srinagar, Aug. 31 -- Disasters rarely announce their arrival. A few hours of intense rainfall can turn a calm river into a dangerous torrent, a cloudburst can transform a mountain stream into a destructive force, and a landslide can bring roads, bridges and entire communities to a standstill. The recent episodes of floods, flash floods and extreme weather across Jammu & Kashmir, Nepal and several other parts of India have once again reminded us of a reality that we often tend to forget: we cannot prevent every natural disaster, but we can certainly reduce its human cost.For a region like Jammu & Kashmir, this lesson carries particular significance. The Himalayas are among the world's most fragile and geologically sensitive landscapes. The...