The 2023 monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh, a northern Indian state nestled in the Himalayas, has spawned a series of destructive flash floods in various regions. These swift and sudden floods have inflicted unprecedented damage, resulting in loss of lives and assets.
Understanding Flash Floods
Flash floods are acute surges in water levels that typically occur during or after an intense rainfall. These events are highly localized and short-lived, usually peaking within six hours of the rain’s onset. The situation can become dire if drainage lines are blocked, or if natural waterways are obstructed by encroachments such as buildings or roads. Flash floods can be triggered by torrential downpours from severe thunderstorms, hurricanes, or tropical storms. They can also result from rapid snow or ice melt flowing over ice sheets or snowfields, or even from dam breaks, levee failures, and mudslides.
Precipitation Patterns in Himachal Pradesh
There is a discernable pattern of increased rainfall occurring in shorter periods in the Himalayas. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) sixth report indicates that areas like the Himalayas and India’s coastal regions are extremely vulnerable to climate change. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the expected normal rainfall for this period ranges between 720mm and 750mm. Yet, in some years, it has surpassed 888mm (2010) and 926.9mm (2018). The 2023 rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, which totaled 511mm from June onward, is attributed to the combined influences of the South-West Monsoon and Western Disturbances.
Why are Flash Floods Plaguing Himachal Pradesh?
Several factors contribute to the increasing instances of flash floods in Himachal Pradesh.
Developmental Model Driven by Liberalization
While liberalization has spurred self-reliance and fiscal reform, the resultant exploitation of natural resources has led to negative ecological impacts.
Hydropower Projects
The unregulated construction of hydropower projects has reduced mountain rivers to mere streams. The diversion of water through these projects exacerbates the impact of heavy rainfall, leading to floods.
Tourism and Road Expansion
Tourism-driven expansion has led to increased road construction, often without proper geological studies. This hasty road construction can result in landslides and exacerbate flood damage.
Cement Plants and Changes in Crop Patterns
Establishment of massive cement plants and modifications in traditional farming practices have altered land use patterns. This reduces the land’s water absorption capacity which could lead to flash floods during heavy rainfall.
Government’s Approach to Flash Flood Management
Efforts to tackle this issue include the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and the National Flood Risk Mitigation Project (NFRMP). The government has also instituted the Rashtriya Barh Ayog (National Flood Commission) in 1976 and launched the National Flood Management Programme.
Suggestions for Future Action
To tackle the growing problem of flash floods, a Commission of Inquiry involving key stakeholders should be established. Empowering local communities over their resources would be a step forward. Changes in infrastructure planning are crucial to averting disasters in light of climate change. It’s absolutely critical that humans make efforts to reduce their contribution to the problem.
