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| Source: Insurance Journal |
Amidst the calm and peace of the Himalayan mountains in the isolated north Indian state of Uttarakhand, a tragedy shocked the entire country. On the 7th of February 2021, a flood brought huge devastation to the area surrounding the Nanda Devi National Park in the Chamoli district.
What Happened?
Glacier lake burst is considered to be the reason behind the flooding. Glacier lake burst occurs when a portion of a glacier abruptly breaks down and the water below the glacier flows at a rapid speed downstream. Such events can also lead to massive landslides.
Something similar to this happened in the early hours of the 7th, when a glacier broke down, somewhere in the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. Due to this, the water flow of Rishiganga, a tributary river of Ganga, increased significantly leading to the disastrous flood.
As the water was moving downstream, it accumulated more and more rocks, slurry and boulders, that by the time it hit the bridges and the two dams, it had garnered enough energy to be a destructive force. The massive flow of the river demolished everything which came on in its way.
Many labourers working on the dams, Rishiganga Dam and Dhauliganga Dam were either reported dead or missing, with many sustaining severe injuries. Labourers working on a bigger NTPC dam downstream were trapped in tunnels that were blocked by the slurry brought down by the floods.
Massive rescue operations were carried on with the help of 3 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Villages along the possible water flow were evacuated and relocated to safer locations. Rescuing labourers from the two tunnels turned out to be the biggest challenge.
Since the entry and exit of the tunnels were completely blocked, the rescue operators had to drill into the Tapovan tunnel to continue their operations. Rescue operators are yet to fully excavate the tunnel and search operations continue there. The death toll has gone up to 70 with many people reporting injuries. As a fortnight has passed, since the floods, the chances of any missing person surviving seems to be bleak, so as per the government the rest 134 missing are now being presumed dead.
The Reason Behind The Flood
Breaking and melting of Himalayan glaciers in winters seem lacking logic but has recently become more and more occasional. The unusual warming of the Himalayas due to climate change has opened a pandora’s box with many lives now more vulnerable to being the next victim of such an event.
Scientists have repeatedly warned the Indian government that the unprecedented scale at which the Himalayas are warming up will lead to events such as the one which happened recently, occurring more frequently with even more potency.
Another very important reason for the floods is the inconsiderate, single-minded, motive of development at the cost of environmental harmony and balance. This fatal habit of humans, to work against nature, has cost us more than any other war or event combined.
The construction of roads, to increase the connectivity to various pilgrimage sites, around the state, is one of the biggest concerns for environmentalists. They consider the development of infrastructure without considering the fine balance between the elements as a major concern capable of massive devastation.
Various dam construction in the paraglacial or unstable landscape zone, even after the advice against such construction by a committee set up by the Supreme Court, has added to the threats to the sensitive ecosystem of the Himalayas.
What Can We Do To Prevent Such Events?
The one thing that is certain, is that if we don't mend our ways right now, such events will keep on happening more frequently, with some predicting the might of such disasters will only keep increasing. Floods around the country and the globe are getting more and more devastating.
Our generation is witnessing once in a century flood, be it in Kerala or in the North East. A problem, such as the one we are facing right now, requires urgent, bold and justifiable actions. The time to debate the existence of climate change and nature’s potency to fight back is far from over.
The effect of our reckless behaviour, over the past many decades, is now both immediate and evident. A holistic and comprehensive plan is required to fix our menace and formulate a better plan which takes into consideration the extremely sensitive network of nature to which we all belong.
Conclusion
The floods in Uttarakhand was a tragedy affecting human lives, emotions and most importantly our mother nature. The floods have again reminded us of our insignificance in front of mother nature, and that we might never be able to prevail over her.
But you, yes you reading this, can make a change for the good. You have already taken the first step, to make yourself aware of the issue. Acknowledging what happened in Uttarakhand not as a random disaster, but as a calculated consequence of our collective actions is necessary.
Now we all need to take the next step of decisiveness, to change what we have been doing wrong. Take the small steps of rectifying climate change from your side, spread the word around you. Together, slowly and steadily we can bring a change, a much-needed change.
Until then, the Himalayas still stand as they did earlier, waiting patiently for the treatment they deserve from us. Let us not make them wait any longer. Instead of the damnation of disaster, that we are steadfast to create in the Himalayas, let them be the cradle of nature, for we can bring a change!
Written by - Piyush Pandey
Edited by - Christeena George |
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