Himachal Pradesh Disaster 2023: A Tragic Tale of Nature's Fury

Causes of Disaster: Heavy Rainfall, Cloud Burst, Landslides, Lightening 

Disaster Started From: 8 July 2023 

Himachal Pradesh, a mountainous state in northern India, has been battered by heavy rains and landslides that have claimed more than 300 lives and caused widespread damage to infrastructure and property. The monsoon season, usually from June to September, has brought unprecedented rainfall to the region, triggering flash floods, mudslides, and cloudbursts. 

Causes of the disaster | Fury of Nature

The disaster in Himachal Pradesh resulted from natural and human factors. The biological factors include:

1. Climate change

 According to the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, the temperature in the Hindu Kush Himalayas is rising, causing shrinking snowlines and retreating glaciers. It increases runoff and reduces mountain water storage capacity, making them more vulnerable to floods and landslides.

2. Monsoon variability

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported that Himachal Pradesh has received 157% more rainfall than average this year. The monsoon, influenced by various atmospheric and oceanic phenomena, such as El Niño and La Niña, has been erratic and unpredictable, bringing heavy downpours in short intervals.

3. Topography

Himachal Pradesh is in the Himalayan range, one of the world's youngest and most fragile mountain systems. The steep slopes, loose soil, and weak geological strata make the region prone to landslides and soil erosion, especially during heavy rains.

Human factors

The human factors which are responsible for this disaster include the following activities.

1. Unscientific slope-cutting and debris dumping

The construction of roads, hydropower projects, and tunnels in the mountainous terrain involves blasting and excavation activities that weaken the natural stability of the slopes. The debris generated from these activities is often dumped into the rivers, raising water levels and flooding their banks.

2. Unregulated construction activities

The rapid urbanization and tourism development in Himachal Pradesh has led to haphazard and illegal construction of buildings on river banks, hill slopes, and forest lands. These structures violate the environmental norms and building codes and obstruct the natural drainage systems. They also increase the load on the soil, making it more susceptible to collapse.

3. Consequences of the disaster

The disaster in Himachal Pradesh has devastatingly impacted various aspects of life. Some of the significant consequences are:

4. Loss of life

 According to the state government data, at least 328 people have died due to landslides and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh since July. Many others are missing or injured. Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Kangra, and Solan are the worst-hit districts.

5. Property damage

The floods and landslides have destroyed or damaged thousands of houses. Many people have lost their belongings and livelihoods. The estimated damage to public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, power lines, water supply systems, schools, hospitals, etc., stands at Rs 7,000 crore.

6. Disruption of services 

The floods and landslides have disrupted the transportation and communication networks in Himachal Pradesh. Many roads have been blocked or washed away, isolating several villages and towns. The flights and train operations have also been affected. The power supply has been cut off in many areas due to damage to transmission lines and substations. The water supply has been contaminated or disrupted due to damage to pipelines and reservoirs.

7. Environmental degradation

The floods and landslides have caused severe environmental degradation in Himachal Pradesh. Debris, sewage, chemicals, and carcasses have polluted the rivers. Landslides and illegal logging have deforested the forests. The biodiversity has been threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.

Relief and recovery efforts

The state and central governments have launched various relief and recovery efforts to mitigate the effects of the disaster. Some of the key measures are:

1. Rescue operations

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, fire brigade, civil defense volunteers, and NGOs have been involved in rescue operations across Himachal Pradesh. They have evacuated thousands of people from affected areas using helicopters, boats, ropes, ladders, etc. They have also retrieved bodies from the debris and assisted injured people.

2. Relief camps

The state government has set up relief camps in various districts to provide shelter, food, water, clothing, blankets, medicines, etc., to the affected people. 

3. Restoration work

The state government has deployed engineers, technicians, workers, and machines to restore the damaged infrastructure and services. The government has also sought assistance from the central government and other states to expedite the restoration work. The disaster in Himachal Pradesh is a wake-up call for adopting more sustainable and resilient development practices in the Himalayan region. The state and central governments, civil society, and the scientific community should work together to devise and implement long-term measures to prevent and prepare for such disasters in the future. 

Relief fund for affected families

Chief Minister of HP Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced assistance of Rs 1 lakh to affected families on 11 July 2023. CM Sukhu also announced that the government will change the relief manual to enhance the relief aid. 

Apda Rahat Kosh in Himachal Pradesh, 2023

The Aapda Raahat Kosh 2023 is a disaster relief fund established with the primary objective of aiding in restoring damages caused by the heavy monsoon rains in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The relentless rains have left the picturesque state in ruins, with extensive devastation across the region. Vast areas have been severely affected, witnessing the destruction of roads, bridges, and houses and the disruption of essential services such as electricity, water, and telecommunications.

The ARK 2023 aims to support the State Government's ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the affected areas. The fund accepts online contributions through net banking, credit cards, debit cards, UPI, or Bharat QR code. Donations can be checked against the Print Receipt option by entering the email ID or the associated mobile number.

If you wish to donate to this cause, please visit their website and click the Donate menu to complete an Online Donation Form. You will then be directed to a payment gateway where you can pay through any of the available modes. 

Possible Actions

Some of the possible actions are:

1. Strengthening disaster management

The state and central governments should enhance the management of disaster institutions, policies, plans, and capacities at all levels. They should also enhance the coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders, such as the IMD, NDRF, Army, etc. They should also improve the early warning systems, emergency response systems, and public awareness campaigns.

2. Promoting scientific slope stabilization and debris management

The state and central governments should promote scientific slope stabilization and debris management techniques for road and hydropower project construction. They should also enforce strict regulations and monitoring mechanisms to prevent the illegal dumping of debris into rivers and forests.

3. Regulating construction activities

The state and central governments should regulate the construction activities in Himachal Pradesh by enforcing the environmental norms and building codes. They should also promote eco-friendly and disaster-resistant construction materials and designs. They should also relocate or retrofit the vulnerable structures on river banks and hill slopes.

4. Conserving environment 

The state and central governments should conserve the environment in Himachal Pradesh by protecting the forests, rivers, glaciers, wildlife, etc. They should also promote afforestation, watershed management, soil conservation, waste management, etc. They should also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adopt renewable energy sources.

The disaster in Himachal Pradesh is a reminder of the fragility and beauty of the Himalayas. It is also a challenge and an opportunity to build a more harmonious and resilient relationship with nature.