UTTARAKHAND FLOOD
JUNE 16, 2013 - WHEN THE SKY FELL DOWN !!
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN UTTARAKHAND ?
From 14 to 17 June 2013, the Indian state of Uttarakhand and adjoining areas received heavy rainfall, which was about 375% more than the benchmark rainfall during a normal monsoon. This caused the melting ofChorabari Glacier at the height of 3800 metres, and eruption of the Mandakini River which led to heavy floods near Gobindghat, Kedar Dome, Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Western Nepal, and acute rainfall in other nearby regions of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and some parts of Tibet.
The upper Himalayan territories of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are full of forests and snow-covered mountains and thus remain relatively inaccessible. They are home to several major and historic Hindu and Sikh pilgrimage sites besides several tourist spots and trekking trails. Heavy rainfall for four consecutive days as well as melting snow aggravated the floods. Warnings by the India Meteorological Department predicting heavy rains were not given wide publicity beforehand, causing thousands of people to be caught unaware, resulting in huge loss of life and property.
IS ONLY NATURE FAULTY.. ? OR PEOPLE ?
- The Uttarakhand disaster have been officially termed a natural calamity caused by cloudbursts and unprecedented rainfall.
- Rapid growth of hydroelectricity dams that disrupt water balances and triggered the action of disaster.
- More than 220 power and mining in 14 river valleys in uttarakhand.
- Several rivers are being diverted through tunnels for these projects leading to major disaster in the sate.
- Deforestation is also one of the major reason that lead to Uttarakhand disaster, which caused frequent landslides.
A submerged idol of Hindu Lord Shiva stands in the flooded River Ganges in Rishikesh. (PTI photo)
A view of flooded Mandakini river in Chamoli district on Tuesday followed by heavy rains in Uttarakhand. (PTI)
The flood wreaked havoc, destroying property worth crore
Steps taken by Government and Community - Govt steps up rescue efforts, more than 33,000 evacuated
- Clearing of debris from different areas and around habitations is on the top of the agenda
- Evacuation of all stranded pilgrims to be completed within 72 hours, in case the weather conditions remain favourable.
- Identification and disposal of dead bodies is a high priority area for the government.
- Efforts are being made for listing of missing persons. All the chief secretaries are being contacted for providing the details of the missing persons from the respective states. The state government website also has provision of uploading details of the missing persons. Advertisement is also being done in leading national newspapers for listing of missing persons.
- Losses incurred in different areas of the state to be assessed and the affected local population has to be extended relief. This exercise is to be completed within one month.
- Geological survey if India being approached for undertaking detailed stability analysis of the disaster affected areas and rehabilitation of the villages that are found to be unfit for human habitation.
- Condoling the death of those killed in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced financial help of Rs. 25 crore to the neighboring state.
- Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar contributed Rs. five crore for relief work among the victims of the Uttarakhand flash flood
- The Haryana government has announced a Rs. 10-crore assistance to calamity-hit Uttarakhand
- A seven-member special team from Madhya Pradesh reached Dehradun to coordinate with Uttarakhand officials for relief and rescue operation for nearly 3,000 pilgrims of this state stranded in the rain ravaged hill state.
- Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah announced a contribution of Rs. five crore to the Uttarakhand government to provide relief to the flood affected victims in the state
- Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi spoke to his Uttarakhand counterpart Vijay Bahuguna and offered assistance and help in rescue and relief operations to overcome the situation.
- Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit has announced a financial assistance of Rs. 10 crore for flood-affected people of Uttarakhand
- Mahindra & Mahindra Group announced a contribution of Rs. 1 crore to the Uttarakhand chief minister's Relief Fund to provide relief to flood affected victims in the state.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1kz-Bh30uo