The year 2025 witnessed severe cloudbursts and flash floods across the Indian Himalayan region. These events caused massive loss of life and property. They also brought into light the fragile nature of the Himalayas and the consequences of expanding infrastructure. From Uttarakhand to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, the disasters raised urgent questions on environmental management and climate change adaptation.
Recent Cloudbursts and Floods
Recently, intense cloudbursts hit Dehradun, Mandi, and other hill towns. Mussoorie was cut off from Dehradun for over 48 hours. Dharali village near Gangotri was devastated within 20 seconds by a flash flood. This flood destroyed dozens of buildings and affected an Army unit downstream. Despite moderate rainfall locally, heavy precipitation in higher catchments caused massive slush and water to rush down with enormous energy. Similar incidents occurred in Kishtwar, Katra, and Punjab, resulting in hundreds of deaths and widespread damage.
Himalayan Terrain and Infrastructure Risks
The Himalayas are geologically young and fragile. Expanding infrastructure such as highways, tunnels, ropeways, and hydropower projects destabilise slopes and increase landslide risks. The Char Dham road widening project in Uttarakhand passes through the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (BESZ), home to 238 glaciers. Violations of BESZ norms include construction near riverbanks and extensive tree felling. These actions worsen ecological vulnerability and increase disaster risks. Piecemeal environmental clearances ignore the cumulative impacts of such projects.
Climate Change and Weather Extremes
Global warming intensifies the water cycle. Warmer air holds more moisture, causing extreme rainfall events like cloudbursts. The disruption of the Arctic jet stream and tropospheric Rossby waves leads to contrasting weather patterns. While Europe and North America face heatwaves and wildfires, South Asia experiences heavy rains and floods. The interaction between westerly disturbances and the north-east monsoon in India has created favourable conditions for excessive precipitation in 2025.
Environmental and Policy Concerns
Uncontrolled construction and tourism in fragile hill areas have drawn Supreme Court attention. Himachal Pradesh suspended new construction permits after over 300 deaths from floods and landslides. Pilgrim camps set up in flood plains, such as in Jammu & Kashmir, proved fatal during flash floods. The need for stricter land-use planning and disaster risk management is urgent. Forest clearances should be holistic, and infrastructure development must prioritise ecological balance.
Hydrology and River Dynamics
River courses in the Himalayas can change abruptly. The Kheerganga river in Uttarkashi shifted to an old channel, washing away settlements. Old river courses should be recognised as flood plains and reserved for non-permanent uses such as agriculture. Permanent structures in these zones invite disaster. About river dynamics is crucial for sustainable Himalayan development.
Energy and Environmental Transition
The Himalayan disasters underline the need to limit further global warming. Transitioning away from fossil fuels is essential to reduce extreme weather events. Sustainable development in mountain regions must balance economic growth with environmental conservation. Protecting fragile ecosystems will help reduce disaster vulnerability in the future.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss in the light of recent Himalayan cloudbursts how infrastructure development impacts fragile mountain ecosystems and what policy measures can mitigate these risks.
- Critically examine the role of global climate change in altering the behaviour of jet streams and its implications for extreme weather events in South Asia and Europe.
- Explain the significance of Eco-Sensitive Zones in India and how violations affect biodiversity and disaster vulnerability, with suitable examples.
- With suitable examples, discuss the challenges of river dynamics in mountainous regions and how land-use planning can reduce flood and landslide disasters.
