Uttarakhand grapples with 18,464 disasters in nine years; averaging of over 2,000 annually
The state's Disaster Management Department meticulously tracks a wide array of incidents, including road accidents, fires, landslides, earthquakes, floods, insect attacks, avalanches, heavy rainfall, lightning strikes, hailstorms, gales, drownings, wild animal attacks, cloudbursts, forest fires, disease outbreaks, and electrocutions.
"We collect comprehensive data on fatalities, injuries, and missing persons, alongside records of partially and completely damaged homes," stated Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of the State Disaster Management Department. "Our figures from 2015 to 2024 indicate an average of 2,051 disasters occurring each year."
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Regular studies of Himalayan glaciers, nearby areas to be conducted: Pushkar Singh Dhami
Dehradun: Sounding alarm over Uttarakhand's growing vulnerability to disasters, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday announced regular studies of Gangotri glacier, other Himalayan glaciers and surrounding areas, along with strengthening of the disaster management department for predictive and proactive measures. The announcement, made during the 79th Independence Day function at Parade Ground, came after the Aug 5 flash flood in Uttarkashi's Dharali village, which some experts have linked to a possible glacial lake outburst. Official data of the state disaster management department shows that between Jan 2014 and July 2024, 3,667 houses were completely demolished in natural disasters, 9,556 permanent and over 5,000 temporary structures were partially damaged, and more than 13,000 hectares of crops lost. Natural disasters also killed 1,892 large animals and 15,805 smaller ones, while flash floods and landslides claimed 705 human lives in the past decade with 389 deaths attributed to flash floods alone. A large share of the damage occurred in structures near rivers or landslide-prone areas, with forests and villages in higher reaches hit especially hard. The Himalayan state has repeatedly faced such disasters. In 2021, a glacial lake outburst triggered flooding in Chamoli's Reini village, killing over 80. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Passive Income Ideas Sitting at Home Mone Click Here Undo Avalanches and similar incidents in recent years have intensified demands for scientific glacier studies. "Uttarakhand is a hill state and prone to disasters. Earlier, we decided to stop all construction in disaster-prone areas. A detailed study of glaciers is important; therefore, we have taken this decision," Dhami said. Following the Dharali floods, he had also directed immediate identification of landslide and avalanche-prone zones, adding that no new settlements or construction would be permitted in sensitive areas. Notably, a study published earlier this year revealed Uttarakhand's glacier area has shrunk from 979 sq km in 2000 to 957.6 sq km in 2023, with Gangotri glacier alone losing 2.3 sq km. Experts warn this shrinkage could create new glacial lakes, raising the risk of future outburst floods. Alongside the glacier study, Dhami announced other measures at the Independence Day event including the provision of two gas cylinders and a stove to all schools lacking them under the mid-day meal scheme; establishment of district-level special educational centres through Uttarakhand Open University for employment-oriented higher education; installation of 10 hand pumps in each assembly constituency facing drinking water shortages; and hikes in honorariums – Rs 1,000 for village watchmen and guards, and Rs 2,000 for block representatives under the department of sainik welfare. Independence Day celebrations were also held in Dharali on Friday with the agencies involved in the ongoing search operation hoisting the tricolour in the village and observing a two-minute silence to pay tribute to the deceased. The flag was hoisted by IG SDRF Arun Mohan Joshi in the presence of personnel from other rescue agencies, including NDRF, ITBP, and local villagers. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Need to consult experts for risk mitigation: J&K CM in Kishtwar
Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday expressed concern over the recent natural calamities in the Union Territory, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and called for consultation with experts to see what can be done to 'mitigate the risks and dangers'. Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah during his visit to Chisoti village in Kishtwar district on Saturday after a flash flood triggered by cloudburst led to damage and devastation. (PTI Photo) Talking to reporters near Chasoti on his return to this cloudburst-hit remote village in Kishtwar district, he said the entire Himalayan belt is now more prone to glacial lake bursts and cloudbursts. He was responding to a question about the possibility of forming a team of experts by his government to safeguard the fragile ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. 'We are going to have a look at it. It is not just what is happening in J&K. Look at the scary videos that we saw from Uttarakhand. What is happening in Himachal? We are all now, I think, prone to these glacial lake bursts and cloudbursts. To deal with this freak weather, we will have to collectively and individually consult experts to see what we can do to mitigate the risks and the dangers of these things,' Abdullah said. Chief minister Omar Abdullah using a virtual reality headset while being briefed about the destruction due to the flash flood in Kishtwar. (PTI Photo) Around 60 people were killed and over 100 injured when a massive cloudburst triggered flash floods at Chasoti, the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple in Kishtwar district, on Thursday afternoon. Over 80 people are reported missing by their family members following the cloudburst. Asked whether his government will regulate pilgrimages in the mountainous regions, he said that earlier these yatras were restricted to small groups of pilgrims ranging between 100 and 400 but now thousands of people are visiting. 'Obviously, after seeing the changing patterns of the weather, we will have to think about a little more regulation, registration, etc. But if I make an announcement today, then it will be a mistake on my part because people's religious emotions are also involved in this,' he said. 'We have to consult the religious leader, the people who are associated with these local pilgrimages, and take some steps,' Abdullah said. He said though around 80 people were reported missing in the flash floods triggered by cloudburst, it is not the final number. 'Some people might have no mobile coverage or stopped halfway due to the circumstances (cloudburst). So do not take it (missing figures) as the final number. It will keep changing from time to time,' the CM said. He said the flash floods brought down big rocks and 'where we are standing used to be a river (bank). This was not a lake. It is a river, which has changed into a lake after the recent cloudburst. Some people washed away by the flash flood cannot be ruled out and our efforts are to find them and retrieve their bodies so that these could be handed over to their families.' Chief minister Omar Abdullah with officials at Chasoti village, 90km from Kishtwar town, on Monday. (PTI Photo) Local residents confront CM The anger of people seeking information about their kin missing in the aftermath of a cloudburst is quite understandable, Abdullah said after several residents confronted him in Chasoti and vented their frustration. He said the focus of the rescue operation right now is to find those still trapped under the debris.A coordinated operation is underway in the village where 80 people have been reported missing by their families, even as locals and witnesses claim that hundreds may have been swept away by the flash flood and buried under boulders, logs, and rubble. After being briefed by a senior army officer, the chief minister met affected families on both sides of the stream, connected by a makeshift bridge made of logs. The chief minister invited them to a nearby tent to listen to their grievances, but some of them were reluctant. Following this, Abdullah left the scene. 'I can understand their anger. They have been waiting for their missing family members for the past two days. They want an answer. They want to know if their family members will come out alive or not,' he told reporters on his return journey. The chief minister said the demand of the people is that if those missing are no longer alive, then the bodies should be handed over to them at the earliest for the last rites. All-out rescue efforts underway 'We have deployed as many forces as we could, whether it is the NDRF, SDRF, Army, Jammu and Kashmir police or the CISF. We are trying to rescue the trapped people. And where there is no rescue, we will at least retrieve the bodies and hand them over to their families,' Abdullah said. Tragedy struck Chasoti around 12:25 pm on August 14, flattening a makeshift market, a community kitchen site for the pilgrimage, and a security outpost. At least 16 houses and government buildings, three temples, four water mills, a 30-metre-long bridge, and over a dozen vehicles were also damaged in the flash flood. The annual Machail Mata Yatra, which began on July 25 and was scheduled to conclude on September 5, remained suspended for the third consecutive day on Saturday. The 8.5-km trek to the 9,500-foot-high shrine starts from Chasoti, around 90km from Kishtwar town.
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Business Standard
10 hours ago
- Business Standard
J-K CM calls for expert guidance to reduce risks after Himalayan disasters
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday expressed concern over the recent natural calamities in the Union Territory, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand and called for consultation with experts to see what can be done to "mitigate the risks and dangers". Talking to reporters near Chasoti on his return to this cloudburst-hit remote village in Kishtwar district, he said the entire Himalayan belt is now more prone to glacial lake bursts and cloudbursts. He was responding to a question about possibility of forming a team of experts by his government to safeguard the fragile ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. We are going to have a look at it. It is not just what is happening in J-K. Look at the scary videos that we saw from Uttarakhand. What is happening in Himachal? We are all now, I think, prone to these glacial lake bursts and cloudbursts. To this freak vague weather, we will have to collectively and individually consult experts to see what we can do to mitigate the risks and the dangers of these things, Abdullah said. Around 60 persons were killed and over 100 others injured when a massive cloudburst triggered flash floods hit Chisoti, the last motorable village en route to the Machail Mata temple in Kishtwar district, on Thursday afternoon. Asked whether his government will regulate pilgrimages in the mountainous regions, he said that earlier these yatras were restricted to small groups of pilgrims ranging between 100 and 400 but now thousands of people are visiting. Obviously, after seeing the changing patterns of the weather, we will have to think about a little more regulation, registration, etc. But if I make an announcement today, then it will be a mistake on my part because people's religious emotions are also involved in this," he said. We have to consult the religious leader, the people who are associated with these local pilgrimages, and take some steps, Abdullah said. He said though around 80 person were reported missing in the flash floods triggered by cloudburst, it is not the final number. Some people might have no mobile coverage or stopped halfway due to the circumstances (cloudburst). So do not take it (missing figures) as the final number. It will keep changing from time to time, the CM said. He said the flash floods brought down big rocks and where we are standing used to be a river (bank). This was not a lake. It is a river, which has changed into a lake after the recent cloudburst. Some people washed away by the flash flood cannot be ruled out and our efforts are to find them and retrieve their bodies so that these could be handed over to their families".
