HP flash floods: Central team meets chief secy Saxena
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Shimla: A multi-sectoral central team met chief secretary Prabodh Saxena here on Thursday in its ongoing exercise to examine the root causes of the increasing trend of natural disasters in the Himalayan state in recent years.
Saxena apprised the central team, led by advisor (operations and communication) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Colonel KP Singh (retd), that the state experienced a rise in the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and torrential rainfall events. These disasters resulted in widespread loss of life, damage to infrastructure, livelihoods, and environmental degradation.
The chief secretary stated that new challenges emerged in recent years due to the increased frequency, scale, intensity, and impact of disasters such as cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. These events have long-lasting effects on the victims' lives, social structures, and overall development.
The central team, tasked with investigating the rising trend of disasters in the state to determine their root causes and recommend remedial measures, comprises chief scientist SK Negi from CSIR-CBRI Roorkee, geologist professor Arun Kumar from the University of Manipur, research scientist Dr Susmita Joseph from IITM Pune, and Professor Neelima Satyam from the department of civil engineering at IIT Indore.
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Saxena emphasised that hilly states face unique and significant challenges in managing disasters, relief efforts, and rehabilitation. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the root causes of these disasters to minimise their occurrence and prepare effectively for such challenges. The multi-sectoral team, after completing their final assessment, is expected to submit its report within one week to the disaster management division of the ministry of home affairs.
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