HIMACHAL FLOODS: A MAN-MADE DISASTER

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Context

The impact of flash floods and development in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

Details

• Flash floods during this year's monsoon season caused unprecedented damage to lives and assets.
• Death toll exceeds 150, with estimated total losses of ₹10,000 crore.
• Both climate change and human-induced disasters contributed to the calamity.
• Past data shows significant loss of lives and property due to planned development.

Role of Climate Change and Increased Precipitation

• IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) VI report highlights the impact of climate change on the Himalayas and coastal regions.
• Increased precipitation observed in shorter periods in the Himalayas.
• Instances of rainfall exceeding normal levels in certain years (e.g., 888 mm in 2010, 926.9 mm in 2018).
• This year's precipitation was attributed to the combined effect of south-west monsoon and western disturbances (511 mm).

Reworking the Development Model

• The State's development model initiated in 1971 transformed Himachal Pradesh into a development exemplar.
• Parmar's model focused on land reforms, social welfare, and human resources.
• Successes: Second rank in social development indices, universal electricity access, improved connectivity, and advancements in agriculture.
• Advent of liberalization led to changes, with mountain States required to generate their own resources for fiscal management.
• Exploitation of natural resources, including forests, water, tourism, and cement production, became a focus for development.

Impact of Hydropower Projects

• Hydropower projects became a dominant focus for hill States to attract investments.
• Multilateral agencies' shift in funding priorities to finance large hydropower projects.
• Uncontrolled construction transforming mountain rivers into streams, affecting ecosystems.
• "Run of the river" dams divert water through tunnels, dumping excavated material (muck) along riverbeds.
• During heavy precipitation, dumped muck carried back into rivers, causing further damage.
• Examples of affected rivers: Parvati, Beas, Sutlej, and others.
• Long tunnels planned or commissioned on the Sutlej river leading to ecosystem harm.
• Currently, 168 hydropower projects are in operation, generating 10,848 MW of electricity.
• By 2030, 1,088 hydropower projects are projected to harness 22,640 MW of energy, raising concerns about potential disasters.

Tourism and Road Expansion

• Development-driven road expansion aims to promote tourism and attract visitors.
• National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) involved in road-widening projects.
• Public-private-partnership (PPP) approach prioritizes rapid project completion.
• Bypassing geological studies and mountain engineering skills resulted in vertical mountain cutting.
• Consequences: Massive landslides and damage to existing roads during heavy rain or floods.

 Environmental Impact of Cement Plants

• Massive cement plants in districts like Bilaspur, Solan, Chamba causing significant land use changes.
• Contributing to flash floods during rainfall.
• Removal of vegetation reduces land's capacity to absorb water.

Shift in Crop Patterns

• Silent transformation in agriculture and horticulture patterns.
• More farmers are adopting a cash crop economy over traditional cereal farming.
• Short timeframes for transporting perishable crops leading to hasty road construction.
• Lack of proper drainage and dumping areas for muck, causing river ecosystem contamination.
• Resulting rapid swelling of rivulets and rivers even during normal rainfall.

Proposed Solutions

• Institute a Commission of Inquiry involving stakeholders to address policy framework failures.
• Empower local communities over assets and insure them for compensation.
• Adequate changes in infrastructure planning needed to mitigate climate change and development-induced disasters.

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