uttrakhand disaster 2013

MAN-MADE HAVOC(UTTRAKHAND DISASTER-2013)

Presented By: Manish Singh (MARDG) TATA INSTITUTE OF

SOCIAL SCIENCES

OUTLINE

Overview of UttrakhandChota Char-Dham

Social and Cultural Dimension Causes of Disaster Human and Economic Loss Preventive Measures

Overview of Uttrakhand

• On November 9. 2000, Uttrakhand was created in the northern part of India from the Himalayan and adjoining north-western districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Overview of Uttrakhand

• Uttrakhand has the total Land area of 53,483 km2 out of which 86% is mountainous and 65% is forest.

• Most of the Northern part is covered by Himalayan peaks and Glaciers.

• Two major river (Ganges and Yamuna) originate from the glaciers of Uttrakhand.

Overview of Uttrakhand:Chota Char-Dham

Located in the Garhwal region of state, a small circuit of four abodes is an important Hindu pilgrimage circuit in the Indian Himalayas.

Apart from Chota Char-Dham many Hindu Temples and pilgrimage centres found throughout the state due to this it is often referred as the DEVBHUMI (literally “Land of the Gods”).

Overview of Uttrakhand:Chota Char-Dham

Four Seats of Chota Char-Dham

GANGOTRI BADRINATH

KEDARNATHYAMUNOTRI

• Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River.

• Gangotri is a town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi and origin of River Ganges.

CAUSES: Natural & Man-Made

Disaster in Himalayan state of Uttrakhand that struck on June 16, 2013.

BIG QUESTION

Whether- It was a “Nature fury”

or

Man-made catastrophe

Various reason which leads to this disaster Lackadaisical attitude of state machinery toward ecology and

environment. Lack of farsightedness in policy formation. Vested economic interest of neo-liberal forces and chronic

capitalism. Out date and flawed technology.


Two Type of causes:

1. Natural Causes Unusual monsoon behaviour in 2013 Climate change.

2. Man-Made causes Deforestation Unplanned development Exponential Increase in vehicle Insufficient resources Non-existance of government authority Inaccurate and incomplete prediction by MeT department


Unusual Monsoon Behaviour in 2013Early arrival of monsoon in 2013Monsoon hit in advance Melting glacier compounded with rain/causes glacier meltingHeavy flow into the riverNo preparation in advance


Climate Change:Link between climate change and change in climate pattern.Scientist predict about more extreme rainfall patternDecline in moderate rainfall pattern Long dry spell and intensive downpour240 mm rainfall in 2013 within 24 Hours


Unplanned Development:Unplanned development is destroying ecology of mountains

in UttrakhandMost of dam constructed without planningNo environmental impact assessment427 Dams are planned 70 project are on Bhagirathi and

AllakhnandaDynamite blast to cut mountain that causes earthquake of

magnitude of 4.0 at ritcher scale


Deforestation:Very high---due to unplanned development( hydel

power project/roads/transmission lines)Encroachment of corporateMeF ___ 44,868 Hectare converted into non-forest

use


Exponential Increase in Vehicles:Uttrakhand transport department – 2009-10>>83000 vehicles2012-14>>180,000 Increase in number of tourist

Results:Disturbance to ecology LandslideEncrochment


Insufficient Resources:Kedarnath temple authorities receives 165 crores every years

but no man power to deal with emergencyOnly 400 army personals and 100 untrained police man were

deployed

to manage calamities before catastropheAccording to CM- no meeting of Uttrakhand state disaster

management committee for past 6 years


Inaccurate and Incomplete prediction by Met:Monitoring, Forecasting and early warning system were very

poorDavid Petley, professor, department of geography at Durham

university, UK – Analysis of high resolution image from ISROs geographic information system platform (BHUSHAN)- formation of lake and accumulation of water.


Economic loss

Economy was affected, main income tourism. Income from tourism 30%. Tourism spot turned into rubble spot. Infrastructure badly hit. 1520 roads damaged, 154 bridges and 2232 houses, shops hotels

destroyed. Kedarnath valley was the worst affected area. Economic loss both state as well as country.

Financial loss

Rs 20000 crore. Public and Private Property loss approx. Rs 2000 crores as on

30th June 2013. 2 lack for damage houses by government. Extra leakage of money from government side, affected whole

economy. Financial loss – tourism loss.

Loss of humanity

People and Ecology suffered. 580 dead, 3000 missing, 70000 struck. Landslides, damage house. 400 houses destroyed, 265 damaged. Cash crop (apple crop) destroyed. 2145 total animal lost. Dharamshalas washed away. Environment affected.

DISASTER=(H+V) *R /C

H=hazard potentially of a physical event that may cause loss of life or property

V=vulnerabilities factors - physical, economic and environmental-which increase susceptibility of an area or a community to impact of hazard

R=risk probability of harmful consequence or losses

C=capacities strengths and resources available within a community,society that can reduce the level of risk,or the effect of a disaster

MEASURE TO DISASTER RESILIENCE

PURSUING ECOLOGICAL SENSITIVE DEVELOPMENT

AFFORESTATION COMMUNITY BASED INSTITUTION LIKE VAN PANCHAYAT CAMPA AND GREEN INDIA MISSION FUND PROACTIVE APPROACH TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FRA

2005

ECOLOGICAL MOUNTAIN LIVELIHOOD

Ensuring remunerative ecological livelihood for mountain dweller Fund and activities under schemes like rashtriya krishi vikas yojana

and national food security mission focus for promoting system of crop intensification(sci)

Mgnreg,nrl mission and iwsmp should be focus for increasing common pool resources and improve food and livelihood security

Promoting community based tourism

Sustainable and Safer Infrastructure Development

Sustainable hydropower: approach for conserving developmental gains and to minimize loss of life, livelihood and A conceptual shift is required from maximum power production to sustainable or optimum power production

Certain pristine river stretches must be maintained as protected zones in order to sustain the aquatic biota on the river beds, banks and flood plains.

Small hydel projects that produce electricity and help local entrepreneurship should replace the idea of large dams.

SAFER TOURISM

Community based tourism have potential to be more suitable for livelihood option and positive contribution to management and conservation of forest and wildlife

Limiting the number of pilgrims to the shrines Efficient disaster management system

SAFER GREEN ROAD AND HABITATION

At time of disaster single access to shrine so need to develop safe trekking route

Safety and sustainability have to be built into infrastructure development

Ridge alignments of road increase the safety of habitations Safer design example promoting low cost earthquake safe building

Accessing and monitoring disaster risk enhancing early warning system Gross environment product(gep) as the measure of the health of the state

natural resource The fragility of forest is due steep slop so it should be consider while

planning for development with local participation. Strengthening disaster preparedness for effective response New curriculum in school to encourage the integrate resilience