Context:
The Himalayan regions face devastating floods due to erratic climate patterns, urging the need for cities resilient to these challenges. Earlier this month, a flash flood in Sikkim killed at least 34 people, swept away bridges and roads, and damaged the state’s largest hydropower project, the 1.2 GW Teesta-III. Images released by the Indian Space Research Organisation confirmed that it was triggered by a combination of glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and excess rainfall.
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Key Points
Nature of Himalayan Hazards:
The Indian Himalayas are prone to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, glacial lake outbursts, and landslides due to extreme climatic conditions.
Catastrophic events like flash floods caused by cloudbursts in various rivers (Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Sutlej, Teesata) have historically brought devastation downstream.
Challenges in Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Regions:
The HKH spans eight nations and is highly susceptible to disasters, demanding resilient city planning and land-use strategies.
Human-induced changes like altered farming practices, soil degradation, and sedimentation exacerbate vulnerabilities, reducing the land’s capacity to absorb rainfall.
Approach for Resilience:
Spatial Land-Use Planning: Crucial for mitigating floods, landslides, and climate change impacts. Satellite-based techniques aid in mapping floods, assessing damage, and enabling early warnings for efficient disaster management.
Infrastructure Placement: Strategic placement and mapping of infrastructure, including flood shelters, minimize risks in disaster-prone areas.
Nature-Based Solutions: Embracing nature-inspired strategies to combat climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
Community Empowerment: Grassroots initiatives like ICIMOD’s low-cost flood early warning system in Nepal empower local communities to protect lives and livelihoods.
Conclusion
Building resilience in Himalayan regions demands a multi-pronged approach. From strategic planning and infrastructure mapping to community engagement and nature-centric solutions. Such comprehensive strategies aim to mitigate the devastating impacts of floods and other natural calamities in these vulnerable areas.
Read Also: What is a Flash Flood?, Previous Year Paper: International Relations
