Cloudburst, flashflood incidents claimed 65 lives this monsoon in Himachal

This monsoon season, the state experienced a severe impact with 54 incidents of cloudbursts and flashfloods, resulting in the loss of 65 lives and leaving 33 persons missing.

Additionally, 47 landslides were reported, claiming five more lives. According to DC Rana, Director-cum-Special Secretary of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), the state has incurred an estimated financial loss of Rs 1,363 crore due to these natural disasters.

The most significant damage occurred during the night of July 31 and August 1 in the districts of Kullu, Mandi and Shimla, where 55 persons lost their lives. Technological interventions have played a key role in post-disaster damage assessment, with the use of high-resolution satellite data provided by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and the State Centre on Climate Change under HIMCOSTE.

Satellite analysis revealed that the flashfloods in Rampur, which claimed 35 lives, were caused by heavy precipitation in the upper catchments of the Samej khad, at an elevation of 5,434 metres. The floods affected not only Samej khad but also its neighbouring areas, including the Kurpan and Ghanvi khads.

A team from the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), led by Director (DM), visited the affected areas for preliminary assessments.

Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena highlighted that the state suffers substantial losses every year in terms of human lives and government resources. He emphasised the need for in-depth studies on cloudburst phenomena, involving institutions like the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), to better understand and predict these events. Such research is crucial in the context of climate change, as mountainous regions remain highly vulnerable to climatic variations, posing significant threats to the lives and livelihoods of local communities.