The turn that wasn't: How a tampered riverbed turned flood into catastrophe
Prof. Rao, who was travelling through Rudraprayag, explained that the region experienced heavy rainfall continuously for three to four days, which likely triggered a massive mudflow that struck Dharali.
Efforts are being intensified to airlift advanced equipment to Dharali village. (Photo: PTI)
RIVEBED ALTEREDWhile mountainous regions often face natural hazards such as cloudbursts, glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and monsoonal mudflows, he emphasised that the scale of destruction seen in Dharali was amplified due to human intervention in the river's natural course.The encroachments and constructions within the riverbed altered the flow dynamics, and when the powerful mudflow struck the built-up areas, it collided with buildings with immense thrust and force, causing catastrophic loss of life and property. The width needed for the mudflow to pass was missing due to construction in and around it, which worsened the disaster. The professor posed critical questions about why constructions in such vulnerable riverbed zones were allowed, highlighting the consequences of unchecked urbanisation driven largely by tourism development in the region. This unplanned expansion into ecologically sensitive and disaster-prone zones has increased the risk exposure of local communities. SATELLITE DATA REVEALS EXTENT OF DAMAGESupporting these observations, recent satellite analyses performed by Suhora Technologies, using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and high-resolution optical imagery, revealed the extensive impact of the Uttarkashi disaster.The data, captured at 11:01 PM on August 5, showed approximately 148 buildings damaged and an area of about 16 hectares affected. The imaging also highlighted damage to critical infrastructure, including one bridge and nearly 0.95 km of roadway, leading to significant disruptions in connectivity and emergency response.The Uttarkashi tragedy highlights the urgent need to regulate and enforce land-use policies to prevent encroachment on riverbeds and other high-risk zones.advertisementIt also calls for sustainable urbanisation practices that respect the natural dynamics of mountainous ecosystems to mitigate loss and enhance community resilience against future disasters.
Flash flood damage assessment map. (Photo: Suhora Technologies)
As rescue operations in flood-ravaged Uttarkashi entered the third day on Thursday, the Indian Army confirmed that 70 people have been rescued so far, while more than 50 remain missing.Efforts are being intensified to airlift advanced equipment to Dharali village—one of the worst-affected areas—to aid in locating those still trapped under debris, officials said.The Army, working in close coordination with local authorities, has scaled up Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts in Dharali and the nearby region of Harsil. Both areas remain largely cut off due to extensive landslides and multiple road breaches caused by the flash floods.- EndsMust Watch
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Heavy rain lashes Delhi, Noida; traffic, waterlogging hit ahead of Rakshabandhan
The national capital on Friday night witnessed overcast skies and fresh spells of rain, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms through the morning. The downpour disrupted traffic and caused waterlogging in several parts of Delhi and Noida.(PTI) Visuals from across Delhi-NCR show heavy rainfall. The downpour disrupted traffic and caused waterlogging in several parts of Delhi and Noida. Commuters have been advised to brace for delays, especially with Rakshabandhan around the corner. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms with rain in Delhi on Saturday. The IMD has forecast a minimum temperature of 27 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 36 degrees Celsius for Saturday, with thunderstorms and rain activity expected to continue over the next few days. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's air quality index (AQI) stood in the 'moderate' category at 116 on Friday. As per IMD forecast, Delhi is expected to get another spell of rain on August 13 and 14. The rainfall will bring the temperature down by a few degrees. Till Friday evening, the sky was mostly clear with clouds often covering the sun. The maximum temperature of the national capital was recorded at 36.2 degrees Celsius, 2.0 degrees above normal. Noida weather forecast Districts of NCR, like Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, are also bracing for a similar weather pattern as the weather department anticipates cloudy skies and thundery development toward the evening in all four cities. Heavy rainfall lashed parts of Noida late Friday, bringing much-needed relief from the humidity and raising concerns over traffic disruptions. Visuals from the Mahamaya Flyover showed vehicles moving cautiously amid reduced visibility and slick roads.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Rain batters Himachal: Fresh alerts for Shimla, Mandi; Chandigarh-Manali highway submerged
As flashfloods triggered by cloudburst continue to wreck havoc in Himachal Pradesh and its adjoining regions, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued a fresh warning of continued rainfall activity in Himachal Pradesh, with heavy rain expected in many parts of the state over the next few days. Heavy rainfall may occur at isolated places in Mandi and Bilaspur districts on August 11 and 12.(PTI) A Yellow Alert has been issued for Kangra, Una, and Sirmaur districts for heavy rainfall. Rainfall activity is expected to pick up again from the night of August 10 and continue through the morning of August 11. Heavy rainfall may occur at isolated places in Mandi and Bilaspur districts during this period as well. Particularly, Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts have been issued an Orange Alert for heavy rainfall on these days Weather fury in Himachal Pradesh The monsoon season has taken a deadly toll on the state. Since June 20, a total of 202 deaths have been recorded due to monsoon-related incidents. Of these, 108 people lost their lives due to rain, floods, and landslides, while 94 deaths occurred in road accidents, as per the latest official data. The IMD also reported that rainfall in Himachal Pradesh during August so far is 35% above normal, with districts like Solan, Kullu, Kinnaur, Bilaspur, and Una recording almost double the average rainfall. From June 1 to August 8, the state has received 13% more rainfall than the seasonal average. The highest rainfall has been recorded in Shimla district, followed by Mandi, where rainfall is about 65% above normal. Chamba, Una, Bilaspur, and Kangra districts have also recorded 40% more rainfall than usual. Shimla, Mandi and Kangra receive heavy rainfall Rain has been lashing the state, including capital Shimla, over the past 24 hours. According to IMD's regional center in Shimla, as of now, four districts are under Yellow Alert for today (August 8). Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Senior Scientist at the IMD Shimla Centre, said light rainfall was recorded at isolated places in Kangra, Mandi, Bilaspur, and Sirmaur districts in the past 24 hours. Chandigarh-Manali highway inundated The impact of rainfall could be seens in Chandigarh as well. Traffic was disrupted on the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway after water unexpectedly entered a tunnel near Mandi on Thursday. Videos shared online showed vehicles navigating cautiously through the partially flooded tunnel, prompting temporary traffic restrictions and a swift response from road maintenance teams. Over 450 roads, power transformers, water schemes hit in Himachal As per the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) under the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Thursday, 452 roads, 861 power transformers (DTRs), and 244 water supply schemes remain disrupted across the state as of Wednesday evening due to heavy rainfall and associated calamities. National Highways 305 and 5 are among the blocked routes, with Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla emerging as the worst-hit districts in terms of road blockages. In Kullu alone, 117 roads are blocked, while Mandi reported 108 disrupted water schemes and 228 damaged power transformers, among the highest in the state.
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Flood relief efforts intensify as water levels in Ganga, Yamuna recede in Prayagraj and Varanasi
Prayagraj/Varanasi , The water levels of Ganga and Yamuna rivers are continuously decreasing in Prayagraj, falling below the danger mark. The Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has launched cleaning operations in flood-affected areas. Flood relief efforts intensify as water levels in Ganga, Yamuna recede in Prayagraj and Varanasi Additional District Magistrate Vinita Singh said, at noon on Friday, the Yamuna's water level in the district was 82.77 metres in Naini, while Ganga's level was 82.16 metres in Phaphamau, 81.84 metres in Chhatnag and 82.50 metres at Bakshi Dam. Deependra Yadav, additional municipal commissioner, Prayagraj Municipal Corporation, told PTI that the civic body has started cleaning operations as the floodwater is receding from the flood-affected areas. A total of 3,000 sanitation workers have been deployed in the flood-affected areas, while 600 additional employees have been assigned to partially affected areas. Another 200 sanitation workers from the District Public Relations Office have also been deployed. Yadav said that in the areas from where the flood water has receded, silt is being removed by installing water pressure machines. Pesticides are being sprayed in affected areas, and drones, sourced from the Agriculture Department, are being used to spray where ground access is difficult. Pratik Vishwakarma, who is preparing for competitive examinations in the flood-affected Salori area of Sadar, said that there has been some relief due to the flood receding, but it may take several days for the entire area to be cleaned as dirt has spread in the streets. Singh said that since last Saturday, over 200 villages of the district and about 60 settlements of the city have been flooded due to the water level of the Ganga and Yamuna remaining above the danger mark. But now people are feeling relieved as the water level has come down, the ADM added. She further said that 107 wards and localities under Sadar tehsil in the city were affected by the floods, of which Rajapur, Beli Kachhar, Chandpur Salori, Govindpur, Chhota Baghada and Bada Baghada were the main affected. Last Sunday, UP cabinet minister Nand Gopal Gupta and the next day Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya visited the affected areas and directed the officials to provide relief material to the flood-affected people. In Varanasi as well, the water level of the Ganga has fallen below the danger mark. According to the Central Water Commission, the water level of the Ganga was 71.58 metres on Wednesday evening, which came down to 70.60 metres on Friday morning, whereas the danger mark is 71.262 metres. The famous Ganga Aarti held at Dashashwamedh Ghat is being done on the roofs. At the same time, the cremation taking place at Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghat is also being done on high platforms and roofs. Shivam Agrahari of Ganga Seva Nidhi said that although Ganga's water level is decreasing, it will take time for life on the ghats to become normal. District administration officials said that the water level of the Ganga in Varanasi has started decreasing now. Wherever the flood water is decreasing, cleaning and spraying are being done on a war footing. Varanasi Municipal Corporation PRO Sandeep Srivastava said that the civic body is working on a war footing in the flood-affected areas of Varanasi. Wherever the flood water is receding in the city, the municipal corporation employees are first cleaning the place and then spraying bleaching powder. After this, sodium hypochloride is sprayed with the help of a spraying machine, so that people can be protected from flies, mosquitoes and the diseases caused by them. District Magistrate Satendra Kumar said that the water level of Ganga has been decreasing since Wednesday. A total of 28 wards are affected by floods. A total of 24 flood relief camps have been set up, in which 4,500 flood-affected people are staying. Teams of district administration, police, NDRF and water police are working jointly. The flood relief team is constantly contacting the people and helping them in every way. Administration officials said that all the officers of the city, MLAs and ministers are constantly visiting the flood-affected areas. Officials said that Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Registration, Stamp and Court Fee Ravindra Jaiswal visited several relief camps on Thursday to know the well-being of the people living in flood relief camps. He enquired about the condition of the flood victims living in Ram Janaki Temple, Dhelvariya, Savitri Lawn, Saraiya, Shailputri Temple and Mauja Hall Chitrakoot School and assured them that the government and he would stand with them in this hour of disaster. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
