Natural Disasters in Uttarakhand: Their Root Causes, Effects, and Suggestions

One of the world's youngest mountains, the Himalaya is also one of the most active in terms of tectonic activity. Geologically speaking, it is unstable and hazardous. As a part of the Himalayan Mountains, Uttarakhand topography has mountainous in nature. Therefore, it is one of the most disaster-prone states in the nation. Geological instability or hydro-meteorological variability is the main cause of the disasters that has happened in the state. Avalanches, cloudbursts, earthquakes, droughts, and forest fires are all potential threats to the state. The state had its biggest tragedy on June 16, 2013, resulting in significant loss of life and property as well as extensive destruction, leaving a memory to the people that will never be forgotten. The calamity had an impact on the Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi districts. Due to the disaster's timing, which fell during the busiest travel and pilgrimage season, Rudraprayag the district that was the most severely hit. Compared to other affected areas, the district was experiencing a higher number of casualties. On June 17, major flooding along the banks of the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers, the two primary tributaries of the Ganga, damaged towns, villages, highways, and bridges for more than 60 km. Cloudbursts and severe rains that struck numerous higher sections of the state were the main contributing factors to this catastrophic calamity. Flash floods and large-scale landslides were brought on by the abrupt rise in water levels brought on by the unprecedented rains in the Mandakini, Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, and other river basins. Floods had affected the pilgrimage sites of Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, as well as Hemkunt Sahib. This calamity caused numerous damages in a number of settlements.