Latest news with #IndianHimalayan
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
In Indian Himalayan village ravaged by flood, locals bemoan rescue delays
* In Indian Himalayan village ravaged by flood, locals bemoan rescue delays Rescuers reach village after two days, find 25 feet of debris * Locals accuse authorities of prioritising stranded tourists * Authorities deny bias, vow to bring back everyone By Saurabh Sharma MANERI, India, - Kameshwari Devi was on her way back from a temple near her village in the Indian Himalayas when a wall of water, rocks and mud tore down the mountain, destroyed her home and killed her son. Three days after the tragedy hit Dharali village in Uttarakhand state, Devi and other residents who survived the disaster are angry that the operation to find those stuck under the debris is not progressing faster. Officials said the flash flood killed four people and more than a dozen remain missing, but locals fear the toll could be higher. "My son is gone," said Devi, 52. "There must have been over 100 people buried alive in the debris and we did not receive any help to save our loved ones," she told Reuters at a relief camp in nearby Matli village on Friday. For two days, soldiers and rescue workers used their hands, as well as machinery, to shift boulders from roads that had turned into muddy streams to reach Dharali on Friday, finding many parts of the hamlet buried under 25 feet of debris. Over two days, military helicopters rescued more than 600 people, according to a state government estimate. Sanjay Panwar, a restaurant owner who was out to buy vegetables when the flood hit, tried to save his brother but failed. "There could be more than 200 people who are missing and the rescue forces are only taking out the tourists. They need to save locals buried under the debris as well," he said. But Arpan Yaduvanshi, a commandant with the State Disaster Response Force, denied that locals were being overlooked. "It is obvious that those who have lost their loved ones would be angry," he said. "We are bringing back every person. We have deployed sniffer dogs, thermal cameras to find people in the debris." Uttarakhand is prone to floods and landslides, which some experts blame on climate change. Vinod Kumar Suman, Uttarakhand's secretary for disaster management, said the department had commissioned a report on the cause. "Without a proper study we cannot conclude that it was a glacial lake outburst," he said. "There was only 8 mm rainfall there. We have asked a team of scientists to study and tell us the exact cause." This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Int'l Business Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- Int'l Business Times
Deadly Indian Himalayan Flood Likely Caused By Glacier Collapse, Experts Say
A deadly wall of muddy water that swept away an Indian Himalayan town this week was likely caused by a rapidly melting glacier exacerbated by the rising effects of climate change, experts said on Thursday. Scores of people are missing after water and debris tore down a narrow mountain valley, smashing into the town of Dharali in Uttarakhand state on Tuesday. Several people could be seen in videos running before being engulfed as waves uprooted entire buildings, leaving others smothered in freezing sludge. At least four people have been confirmed killed, but at least 50 others are missing. Government officials said shortly after the disaster that the flood was caused by an intense "cloudburst" of rain. However, experts assessing the damage suggested that it was only the final trigger, adding to days of prolonged rains that had already soaked and loosened the ground. P.K. Joshi, of New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University, an expert on Himalayan hazards, said it appeared the flood was caused by the collapse of debris -- known as moraine -- that had dammed a lake of meltwater from a retreating glacier. "Given the persistent rainfall over preceding days and the sudden discharge observed, a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) or collapse of a moraine-dammed lake is suspected as the primary trigger," Joshi told AFP. That would have contributed to a "sudden high energy flash flood", he said, noting that glacial terrain upstream of the town included "unstable sediment zones". Cloud cover has obstructed satellite imagery to check for the exact source of the debris, and Joshi cautioned that there was not enough satellite data for a "definitive confirmation". Safi Ahsan Rizvi, an adviser to the National Disaster Management Authority, also said that it was "likely" that the cause was a "glacio-fluvial debris landslide". Sandip Tanu Mandal, a glaciologist at New Delhi's Mobius Foundation, also pointed to the "possibility of a GLOF", caused by "significant water accumulation in the lake due to increased melting and rainfall". Mandal noted that while heavy, the amount of rain immediately before the flood was "not very significant" in comparison to the vast volumes of water that poured down the valley. That would indicate the source was a potentially collapsing lake. Himalayan glaciers, which provide critical water to nearly two billion people, are melting faster than ever before due to climate change, exposing communities to unpredictable and costly disasters, scientists warn. The softening of permafrost increases the chances of landslides. Joshi said the latest disaster "highlights the complex and interconnected nature of Himalayan hazards". Rapid development and building downstream meant that the damage caused was multiplied. "The land use patterns in the floodplain exacerbated the disaster severity," Joshi said. Significant water accumulation preceding the collapse of a glacial lake likely caused the deadly flood that swept away an Indian Himalayan town, experts said AFP
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Deadly Indian Himalayan flood likely caused by glacier collapse, experts say
A deadly wall of muddy water that swept away an Indian Himalayan town this week was likely caused by a rapidly melting glacier exacerbated by the rising effects of climate change, experts said on Thursday. Deadly Indian Himalayan flood likely caused by glacier collapse, experts say Scores of people are missing after water and debris tore down a narrow mountain valley, smashing into the town of Dharali in Uttarakhand state on Tuesday. Several people could be seen in videos running before being engulfed as waves uprooted entire buildings, leaving others smothered in freezing sludge. At least four people have been confirmed killed, but at least 50 others are missing. Government officials said shortly after the disaster that the flood was caused by an intense "cloudburst" of rain. However, experts assessing the damage suggested that it was only the final trigger, adding to days of prolonged rains that had already soaked and loosened the ground. P.K. Joshi, of New Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University, an expert on Himalayan hazards, said it appeared the flood was caused by the collapse of debris known as moraine that had dammed a lake of meltwater from a retreating glacier. "Given the persistent rainfall over preceding days and the sudden discharge observed, a glacial lake outburst flood or collapse of a moraine-dammed lake is suspected as the primary trigger," Joshi told AFP. That would have contributed to a "sudden high energy flash flood", he said, noting that glacial terrain upstream of the town included "unstable sediment zones". Cloud cover has obstructed satellite imagery to check for the exact source of the debris, and Joshi cautioned that there was not enough satellite data for a "definitive confirmation". Safi Ahsan Rizvi, an adviser to the National Disaster Management Authority, also said that it was "likely" that the cause was a "glacio-fluvial debris landslide". Sandip Tanu Mandal, a glaciologist at New Delhi's Mobius Foundation, also pointed to the "possibility of a GLOF", caused by "significant water accumulation in the lake due to increased melting and rainfall". Mandal noted that while heavy, the amount of rain immediately before the flood was "not very significant" in comparison to the vast volumes of water that poured down the valley. That would indicate the source was a potentially collapsing lake. Himalayan glaciers, which provide critical water to nearly two billion people, are melting faster than ever before due to climate change, exposing communities to unpredictable and costly disasters, scientists warn. The softening of permafrost increases the chances of landslides. Joshi said the latest disaster "highlights the complex and interconnected nature of Himalayan hazards". Rapid development and building downstream meant that the damage caused was multiplied. "The land use patterns in the floodplain exacerbated the disaster severity," Joshi said. sai/pjm/pbt This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Ice, rain, and ruin: Why cloudbursts aren't the only danger in Himalayas anymore? Uttarkashi flash flood sounds alarm
NEW DELHI: A suspected cloudburst in the upper catchment of the Kheer Ganga river triggered devastating flash floods on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction in Dharali village and nearby areas of Uttarkashi district in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. However, experts analysing satellite and meteorological data later told TOI that the disaster may have been caused not by a cloudburst, but by a glacier collapse or a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) upstream—underscoring the growing fragility of the Himalayan ecosystem amid rising temperatures. At least five people have died and many are feared missing as floodwaters swept through high-altitude settlements. This incident is the latest in a growing list of extreme weather events affecting the Himalayan region during the monsoon season. Glacial melts adding to crisis A new UN report titled 'Mountains and Glaciers: Water Towers' warns that global warming is rapidly transforming high-altitude water systems. Melting glaciers are initially increasing water runoff, but over time, available freshwater is expected to decline, threatening agriculture, hydropower, and water supply for millions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ₹6 Cr+ Max Estates 3 & 4 Bhk In Sector 36A Max Estates - Estate 361 Book Now Undo The report also flags the rising danger of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)—sudden floods triggered when melting glaciers form unstable lakes. In the past 200 years, over 12,000 people have died in GLOFs, 7,000 in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region alone. Why the Himalayas are at risk The Indian Himalayan region is highly vulnerable to cloudbursts, flash floods, and other extreme weather. These events typically occur during the monsoon and are becoming more frequent due to climate change, the research notes. They often lead to severe damage: house collapses, disrupted traffic, landslides, and human casualties. The 2023 paper further notes that most cloudbursts occur between 1,000 and 2,000 metres altitude, which includes densely populated areas such as Uttarkashi, situated at around 1,160 metres above sea level. Satellite images independently accessed by TOI confirmed the presence of significant glaciers and at least two glacial lakes situated directly above the affected site. 'There is a glacier right above Kheer Gad stream; a sudden release of water, either from glacial lake outburst or glacier burst, could lead to a high-energy flash flood, similar to the Raini disaster in Chamoli in Feb 2021,' said the scientist. The Raini incident involved a rockice avalanche that triggered floods devastating the Rishiganga hydel project and severely damaging the TapovanVishnugad power plant, resulting in more than 200 deaths. According to Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Uttarakhand has 1,266 glacial lakes ranging from small bodies to large reservoirs, several of which pose significant downstream threats. National Disaster Management Authority identified 13 glacial lakes as high-risk, classifying five as extremely dangerous. Recent events indicate escalating risk The flash floods on Tuesday is not an isolated event. On July 26, heavy rainfall in Rudraprayag triggered a landslide that blocked the Kedarnath pilgrimage route, affecting over 1,600 Chardham pilgrims. On June 29, a cloudburst at Silai Band (Barkot-Yamunotri road) caused damage to an under-construction hotel, with several workers reported missing. What needs to be done Experts argue that a coordinated response is essential. This includes: Stronger early warning systems Climate-resilient planning Policy-level interventions for managing cloudburst risks Preserving traditional knowledge systems of local communities The UN report calls for urgent global action: limiting warming to 1.5°C, strengthening mountain governance, and protecting the cryosphere, which supports over half the world's population. As the Himalayas face mounting threats from both extreme rainfall and melting glaciers, the latest cloudburst is yet another stark reminder of the region's fragile future—and the urgent need to act.
Mint
5 days ago
- Climate
- Mint
Deadly Cloudburst in India Sweeps Away Village in Flash Flood
(Bloomberg) -- The Indian Himalayan state of Uttarakhand is bracing for more heavy rain, after flash floods on Tuesday washed away an entire village and killed at least four people in the region. 'A massive mudslide struck Dharali village in the KheerGad area near Harsil, triggering sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement,' the Indian Army said in a post on X. Troops were immediately mobilized and have reached the site to undertake rescue operations, it said. Uttarakhand, part of the seismically active and ecologically fragile Himalayan belt, is highly susceptible to extreme weather events during the monsoon season. Cloudbursts, though rare, have become more frequent and intense in recent years, driven by climate change. The region's steep terrain, unplanned construction and deforestation amplify the risks, often turning heavy rainfall into flash floods and landslides. At least four people died and many are missing after flash floods, the Times of India Newspaper reported. Several districts of the state received 'extremely heavy' rainfall in the 24-hour period through early Monday, the India Meteorological Department said in a bulletin. More precipitation and thunderstorms are forecast over the Western Himalayan region during the next seven days, it said. Last year, deadly floods triggered by unusually heavy monsoon rains in the southern Indian state of Kerala killed more than 150 people. Experts blamed the scale of the disaster not only on the intensity of the rainfall but also on weak project planning, including unregulated real estate development and poor infrastructure. The incident exposed the risks of ignoring environmental safeguards in regions increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather. 'The news of heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely sad and distressing,' Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said in a post on X. The weather department has predicted above-average rainfall during the June-September monsoon season. As of Aug. 5, rains have been 3% above the norm in India, the world's second-biggest producer of rice, wheat and sugar cane. More stories like this are available on
