Sir — It’s been over a week since nature’s fury devastated Uttarakhand. While our defence personnel are performing a herculean task to rescue as many people as possible, it is the administration’s lack of preparedness to tackle such natural disasters which is worrisome.
The State Government’s inability to halt the exploitation of natural resources, deforestation and go-ahead to construction activities, unmindful of the ecological balance has contributed largely to this catastrophe. Add to this the role of corrupt officials, local police and politicians and building mafia who did their bit in destroying the Dev Bhoomi. They must be brought to book.