Hello readers, I am Anshul Singh. This time it is with a mix of emotions that I returned to this blog because today, I find myself compelled to address one of the most devastating natural calamities that have struck my picturesque state Himachal Pradesh. This natural hit back has refreshed all the memories of the Kedarnath floods. Which hits the Kedarnath valley exactly 10 years before on 16th June 2013 affecting 4550 villages across the valley the death toll was 6,054 as per govt records.
It is with both a heavy heart and an earnest commitment to raising awareness that I returned to blogging after seven (7) months. I am deeply passionate about capturing the beauty and magnificence of nature, but also the untamed and devastating power it can unleash. Today, I come to you guys with a topic that has left an indelible mark on the very heart of the Himalayas - The catastrophic Himachal floods of 2023.
Nature's fury knows no bounds, and its recent display in the picturesque state of Himachal Pradesh has left us all in a state of shock and reflection. It is essential to not only understand the gravity of the events that transpired but also to empathize with the affected communities who have endured immense loss and devastation. Through this blog, I am to shed light on the causes, consequences, and most importantly the lessons we can learn from the tragedy. So, in the future, we can handle these calamities with preparation.
Breaking a 50-year-long record, sixty hours of relentless rainfall in Himachal Pradesh submerged the state under extreme floods, washing away Bridges, Roads, National Highways, Buildings, and Vehicles leaving behind a trail of deaths and devastation.
For a while, it looked as if the swollen mountain rivers were taking revenge against the human absurdities of interfering with nature and the fragile Himalayan ecology. This is quite evident from the fact that the maximum destruction occurred in the areas where mega infrastructure projects, road widening, and four-lane activity were undertaken in recent years, Experts attribute the devastation to soil vulnerabilities, failed drainage systems, dumping of huge debris in the rivers & unchecked illegal mining at the river beds. Described it as a 'man-made' devastation of the Himalayas, a planned disaster indeed.
The state was the hardest hit by the following,
214 deaths, 38 missing, and more than 100 injured during flooding since 24th June
More than 1,000 roads were blocked in the state as a result of downed power lines and other damaged infrastructure.
Approximately 70,000 tourists were evacuated from the state as per the report from CM's Office. Rescue operations were led by teams from the brave Indian army & NDRF (National Disaster Response Force)
Shimla-Kalka Railway Line
Additional torrential rains triggered landslides and destroyed ancient and modern infrastructure and killing at least 57 people. The intensity of rains has been attributed to climate change. The landslides washed out several roads, including the Himalayan Expressway NH-5 at 133302, and also sections of the Kalka-Shimla railway line. L-30.787608, L-76.914586
Cumulatively, Since the monsoon hit on June 24 to August 14, 2023. 170 incidents of cloudburst or landsliding have been reported and 9600 houses have been damaged in Himachal Pradesh. A report stated that losses from the combined floods of 2023 have been as high as 10.000 crore rupees and the damaged infrastructure would take 2-3 years for complete repair.
Military's Boeing CH-47 Helicopter carrying aid for areas suffering from extreme disaster
Phase 1: Unveiling the calamity - A closer look at the 2023 Himachal Floods.
As the world grappled with various challenges in recent years, the news of the Himachal floods sent shockwaves across the country. In the month of July-August, a series of intense monsoon rains lashed the region, triggering flash floods and landslides of unprecedented scale. The ferocity of these natural disasters caught both residents and authorities off guard, leaving them struggling to cope with the aftermath.
During the first phase of this blog, we will delve into the factors that contributed to the severity of these floods. From climate change's looming impact on weather patterns to potential human-induced alterations in the region's ecosystem, understanding the root causes is vital to developing long-term solutions.
We will also look at the affected areas in Himachal Pradesh and the extent of the devastation wrought upon its landscapes, infrastructure, and communities. The loss of lives, and livelihoods, and the displacement of families have been heart-wrenching, making it crucial for us to comprehend the human dimension of this catastrophe.
Take a look of the disaster from various regions of the state
Is climate is only the reason for floods?
According to IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) VI report. It has clearly stated that the Himalayas and coastal regions of India will be the hardest hit by climate change. In the Himalayas, There is a noticeable pattern of increased precipitation occurring in shorter periods of time. The Indian Meteorological Department data shows that the normal rainfall during this period is expected to be between 720mm to 750mm. However, in certain instances, it exceeded 888mm in 2010 and 926.9mm in 2018. This year, the precipitation so far has been attributed to the combined effect of the southwest monsoon with western disturbances.
Rainfall has broken numerous records, possibly spanning the past 50 or 75 years. There are meteorological data to support this claim. Himachal Pradesh received 249.6 mm of rain between July 7 to August 11, 2023. Which accounted for almost 30 percent of the total monsoon rainfall in the year. Eventually, the floods were also unprecedented, accompanied by massive landslides
Is building hydropower projects wrong?
The pursuit of hydropower projects became a dominant focus for hill states, with their capacity measured in terms of megawatts (MW) to attract investments. Notably, there was a significant shift in the funding priorities of multilateral agencies. These agencies were opposed to financing large hydropower projects, but they changed their stance and started providing funding for such ventures, making finance readily available for these projects.
One of the main reasons for the devastating impact of floods in the region is the uncontrolled construction of these hydropower projects, which have essentially transformed mountain rivers into mere streams. The technology employed, known as "run for the river'' dams, diverts water through tunnels burrowed into the mountains, and the excavated material (muck) is often disposed of along the riverbeds. During periods of higher precipitation or cloudbursts, the water returns to the river, carrying the dumped muck along with it. This destructive process is evident in rivers like Parvati, Beas, and Sutlej as well as many other small hydropower dams. Moreover, long tunnels spanning 150 km have been planned or commissioned under the Sutlej River causing significant harm to the entire ecosystem.
Currently, there are 168 hydropower projects in operation, generating 10,848 MW of electricity, Looking ahead, it is projected that by 2030. In the upcoming future, 1088 hydropower projects will be commissioned to harness 22.640 MW of energy. This surge in hydropower projects raises concerns about the inevitability of impending disasters in the region.
How have cement plants harmed the environment?
The establishment of massive cement plants and the extensive cutting of mountains in districts like Bilaspur, Solan, and Chamba has resulted in significant land use changes that contribute to flash floods during rainfall. The cement plants alter the natural landscape, and the removal of vegetation leads to reduced capacity of land to absorb water.
There are a total of 14 big/small cement plants in Himachal Pradesh currently having a capacity of 1.5 to 3.25 MTPA (million tons per annum)
How have crop patterns changed in the state?
A silent transformation is occurring in agriculture and horticulture patterns, leading to significant shifts in both landholdings and produce. More farmers are now embracing a cash crop economy over traditional cereal farming. However, this shift has implications for the transportation of these crops to markets within a short timeframe owing to their perishable nature.
In response to this need, roads are being constructed hastily without considering essential land-cutting requirements. Modern excavators are employed in construction, but without creating proper drains or designated areas for dumping muck. Consequently, when it rains, the water finds its own path, carrying the dumped muck along with it and depositing it into the river ecosystem. As a result, even during normal rainfall, rivulets and rivers experience rapid swelling.
Phase 2: The root cause of these calamities and identify the core reasons.
When I tried out to find the core reasons behind these devastating disasters after connecting all links I just ended up with one point that it's a human-induced catastrophe, not a natural disaster. Our development model is terribly wrong, ill-convinced, and completely misplaced. The mountains stood as a guard against our rivals and natural resources. We have sliced down the stable mountains at a 90-degree angle (not step/terrace cutting) to widen roads and built NHs and four lanes to cater to the state's needs for tourism and economic mobility, Lakhs of trees were felled for parwanoo-Shimla four-lane project and Chandigarh-Manali Project.
Further, the entire debris generated was dumped on hill slopes and rivers. The course of rivers was diverted to build dams for hydro-power projects. This was like playing with nature, The course of the rivers has Narrowed down and the surface is usually filled with silt, raising the water level. Thus the rivers flowed over its man-defined boundaries and breached the habitations washing away whatever came in its way
For Hundreds of years, Humans and other living creatures have continued their lives in their natural habitats & lived their balanced life happily. Nature took care of the living creatures and they lived in great balance with the Industrial Revolution and the increase in the human population people begin to seek more food & energy. In order to fulfill the demands of huge population factories were built and operated at their full potential by neglecting their adverse effect on the environment. The harmful gasses from the factories disturb the natural cycle and result in the greenhouse effect which further results in Acid Rain, similarly burning fossil fuels just to fulfill the demands of energy disturbed the natural environmental cycle very far.
Above all human beings, I felt hard sorrow, and fear for what we are leaving behind for upcoming generations because we know the reasons for these calamities we have the knowledge, power, and will to stop this but today we humans are stuck in the core of this matrix of modernization that we cant come out of this even if we want to.
While the Himachal floods have been a tragedy of immense proportions, they also serve as a stark reminder of our responsibility toward nature and the urgent need to take proactive steps to mitigate such disasters in the future.
Amidst the relentless fury of nature's wrath, our resilient spirit shines brighter than ever. As we navigate through the turbulent currents of adversity, let us remember that even in the darkest times, the warmth of compassion and unity can light up our path. Together, we stand strong against the storms that test our limits, proving that in the face of nature's traits, humanity's strength knows no bounds. Let these challenges forge bonds that are unbreakable, igniting a beacon of hope that guides us toward a future where solidarity triumphs over suffering.
In concluding this blog, I earnestly urge all readers to extend their heartfelt prayers and thoughts toward Himachal Pradesh and its resilient inhabitants. Your positive intentions and well-wishes can be a beacon of solace and strength during this challenging period.
Sources:- Anshul Singh.
You got good writing skills Anshul! Keep it up brother.
ReplyDelete"Great share!"......About the Himachal floods.
ReplyDelete