Uttarakhand Flood
natural disaster in 2013
Reasons For The Disaster
Expansion of hydel projects, roads and tourism is making the Himalaya in Uttarakhand crumble.
Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, two hill states in the Himalayan range, are so far the worst hit by the extreme rains that struck northern India in the wake of monsoons that set in early this year. Media reports say nearly 60 persons have died in Uttarakhand, and an estimated 60,000 pilgrims are stranded. Heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc on the region because of the fragile nature of the Himalayan range and poor soil stability in its steep slopes. But it is man-made factors that have compounded the scale of the disaster. Unabated expansion of hydro-power projects and construction of roads to accommodate ever-increasing tourism, especially religious tourism, are also major causes for the unprecedented scale of devastation, say experts.
Places where it was more severe
Worst affected areas -
- Gangotri
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
- Gaurikund
- Hemkund
- Jyotirmath
- Roopkund
- Uttarkashi
- Haridwar
- Chamoli
- Rambada
AFTERMATH OF THE FLOOD
STEPS TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT
STEPS TAKEN BY LOCAL COMMUNITY
The people contributed and did many things to develop the state successfully. They rebuild and constructed new houses, roads, buildings, etc. In response to catastrophic flooding, AmeriCares India team has mobilized medical camps and emergency aid deliveries to help survivors in the beleaguered state of Uttarakhand.
SUGGESTIONS FROM PEOPLE
- I think govt. should control tourism in hill states. They should levy some sort of steep entry tax for vehicles coming from outside. Also they should run petrol vehicles only to control air pollution. Government should encourage traditional houses and discourage concrete houses in hills. I think this will somewhat releive hills.
- All non biodegradable wastes and accessory should not be allowed to be carried in such places.