Uttarakhand Disaster 2013
Land of the Gods..
Overview of Uttarakhand.
- Uttarakhand has a total area of 53,484 km²,of which 93% is mountainous and 65% is covered by forest.
- Two of India's largest rivers, the Ganga and the Yamuna, originate in the glaciers of Uttarakhand.
- Most of the northern part of the state is covered by high Himalayan peaks and glaciers.
Reasons for the disaster.
NATURAL REASONS
- Due to continuous rainfall the chorabari glacier melted and this triggered the flooding of the Mandakini river which led heavy floods near Gobindghat, Kedar dome, Rudraprayag district.
- The Uttarakhand disaster has been officially termed a natural calamity caused by cloudbursts and unprecedented heavy monsoon rainfall.
MAN MADE REASONS
- The true causes of the epic tragedy is the growth of the tourism, unchecked proliferation of roads, hotels, shops and multistory housing in ecologically fragile areas and unplanned constructions are the reasons for landslide.
- Rapid growth of hydroelectricity dams that disrupt water balances and this also triggered the action of the disaster.
PLACES SEVERELY AFFECTED.
STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT.
- The Army, Air Force, Navy, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Security Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Public Works Department and local administrations worked together for quick rescue operations.
- Activists of political and social organizations are also involved in the rescue and management of relief centres.
- Special trains were employed by the government all over the country to cater the needs of the flood victims.
- Indian army showed extreme levels of courage in saving the people in spite of the helicopter crash occurred during the mission operation Rahat.
"Grab my hand."
"Are you okay?"
"Hurry up! We've got no time!"
MEASURES TO REDUCE THE INTENSITY OF SUCH DISASTERS.
- Protecting the environment can only be the way to reduce the risk of such disasters Putting cap on number of tourists may be a solution, which reduces the construction of hotels, expansion of roads. Keeping a check on illegal constructions and on deforestation.
- Using latest equipments to predict the probability of rains Alerting and transferring people to safe zones at proper time. Training the people on how to take basic safety measures.
DONE BY: Suneesh Mathew
Email: messi4u.suneesh@gmail.com
Website: ssthhw.com
Phone: 04-1122334