Pt.2 - Killer Rains Batter India's Hill States | Nature’s Fury Or Man’s Folly? | Akash Banerjee

40 people lost their lives in Mahabheshno Devi's darshan this week. On 17th August, a cloud total of 65 people were killed in a cloudburst. In August alone, there were 140 deaths in J&K. This is still less than Himachal Pradesh where more than 300 people have been killed in this monsoon. You see such devastating scenes on social media every day. This week, a flash flood in Doda district caused a huge cloudburst. After which, flash floods came and people's lives were destroyed. On Tuesday, the only main road connecting Jammu-Srinagar highway and Kashmir valley to the rest of the country was also closed.

Due to heavy rains, you saw landslides in many parts of this route. Today, in Jammu and Kashmir, you will find many rivers overflowing with danger marks. Barrages near Kathua are overflowing. Ravi river is flooded. Tavi river in Udhampur has also crossed 20 feet of danger marks. In Jammu, a bridge was also broken when vehicles were crossing the river.

Look at this. Even when vehicles were passing through the bridge.

Even in Chenab, the river is still flowing near the warning level.

Heavy rains warning has been issued by the meteorological department. Authorities have issued advisories. People are not allowed to going near the rivers and landslides. According to data, it has rained heavily for the first time since 1910. Political blame game has also started. The flood has washed away everything. Due to heavy rains, red alert was issued in Kangra, Chamba, Lahul and Spiti. Orange alert was issued for Oona, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla city.

The Himachal rivers are the onlystorey hotel and four shops in Manali. Be it Manali highway or Chandigarh-Manali highway, this time Bias river did not spare anyone. Whether it is a four-lane or a single lane, the river has taken a portion of every road with its flow. On the other hand, Ravi river is also showing its wrath in Kangra and Chamba. The state emergency operation center has destroyed more than 1,100 power supply transformers and 500 water supply channels. The official death toll in Himachal Pradesh is 310. 158 rain deaths, 152 road mishaps and more than 2,600 crore wealth has been destroyed.

In this one state, we have seen 77 flash floods, 41 cloudbursts, 81 major landslides. All in this monsoon. In August alone, 44% excess rainfall has been recorded. Tragedies have broken the record of last few years. According to State Emergency Operations Center, Uttarakhand rain related deaths have occurred in this one state. Flash floods have become a major cause of death for the state.

This year, 61 deaths have been confirmed, 84 people are missing and 100 are seriously injured. No one can forget the horrific death toll of Dharali. On 5th August, a cloudburst occurred near Kheer Ganga in Uttarakhand. This triggered a flash flood in the river. The village of Dharali was flooded in a matter of minutes. 5 people have been incident and 40 missing.

Last week, in Tharali area of Chamolicks, repeated cloudbursts and heavy rains have made life difficult for the citizens. Every year, you see such horrific images in the Himalayas during monsoon. Flash floods, cloudbursts or glacial lake outbursts. Every year, the lives facing a loss of life. Every year, roads are damaged, landslides occur, people die, tourists are stuck for weeks. It's like a routine.

And every year, the government, local administration and other agencies don't seem to have learned anything from the last few years. They have taken a big step in the name of preparedness. And every year, the first explanation that the government gives us is that there is climate change and it's raining so much. What can we do? So, should we let thousands of people die every year in the name of climate change? Or should we also see that humans have an equal hand in this? Let's understand both. Before we discuss the fact that humans are equally responsible for climate change, let's discuss two things.

Cloudburst and extreme rainfall events prove that climate change is a reality. Global warming is increasing and water evaporates quickly. This is due to the increasing intensity of rainfall. When the intensity increases, the rate of melting glaciers increases. This means that the glaciers become glacial lakes or the water level rises. And when the glaciers are very dangerous. Himalayan states have been one of the worst affected regions by climate change.

Himalayan mountains reach 11 states. India's population is in the foothills of the mountains. And thousands of people visit the mountains. India is located in the foothills of the Himalayas and is a popular destination for tourists. Climate change has had a huge impact on the people of India. India is doing nothing to deal with this problem. India has set its target of net zero by 2070. India is the third largest pollution is so low that the rest of the world will be affected by it.

But this criticism is not justified. India is the third largest emitter of CO2. But India's per capita emission are below the global average. India is not responsible for the repercussions of global warming. It is the result of rising global warming. This is the result of so-called developed nations.

So, they should be punished. We are suffering because for its global warming. But, we should not forget that advanced nations are not afraid of hypocrisy. Let's put aside the climate crisis of the West and see what India can do to deal with climate crisis? Today, India's approach to Himalaya is not to deal with climate change but to increase the damage. Let me explain. Modi government is building four lanes of highways to increase connectivity.

This is to connect different parts of the country. The roads are already built 10 meters wide. Environmental warnings have been ignored. It is a good step to build roads in remote areas. China is also at risk. So, roads must be built. No one is denying this. But what about the environment? If you get an easy option at the riverbank, you can easily cross the river. But the river will have to pay back for its flow.

Let's look at the biggest controversy in recent years. Independent studies and field surveys released a report on landslides on Chardham highway shows that 81% of the landslides are happening around 100 meters, the road is becoming a cause of landslide. Many slopes have been cut at a steep angle. If you make a road in such an unscientific way, the slopes will be exposed. This will lead to landslide incidents. The number of suicide incidents is increasing. Researchers believe that more than natural causes, human-induced disturb trees and 20 million cubic meters of soil have been displaced. This has a huge impact on local ecology, slope stability.

The soil is often dumped on river banks. The river will also say that this is wrong. And when the water level rises, the same debris is killing people. In addition, road construction has been made in Ecologically Sensitive Zone and Protected Catchments despite expert warning. Even after thousands of petitions, independent reporters and court cases, local media continues to talk about the fragile zone. When activists go to court to stop these projects, the government gives them to the National Security Army and they are safe. National security, army movement is the only way to save it. Yes, you need roads in sensitive border areas.

It cannot be delayed. But are these constructions in these regions only for the army? Not for the millions of people? What is the ecological impact of the convenience you want to provide to people? The pollution and human footprint of landslides and cloudbursts is not responsible for that. Have you ever studied the impact of such floods?

If you consider the debate between tourists and the roads, there is only one small reason. We have built thousands of small hydroropower projects on mountains. Recent studies show that it increases the risk of flash floods and debris flow. River engineering, river diversion, coffer dams, natural sediment regime. How to stop the sediment flow in the river. In 2021, due to Tapovan Glacier Outburst, the entire NTPC project was flooded. More than 200 people were killed.

What lessons have we learnt from this? Unregulated riverbed mining has been going on. We have not stopped the construction of channels and floodplains. This has made it easier for rivers to cut new channels, change their direction and enter residential areas. It is also a source of pollution and pollution is also a source of pollution. We are now in an earthquake sensitive zone. If you start big hydroelectric power projects here, you will face a devastating earthquake. Again, the icing on the cake is corruption.

Environment impact assessment and clearance processes have been repeatedly bypassed. Reports show that many projects were recommended and cleared even after violations. All-weather tourism, income generation, bribery, etc. Hotels, construction projects, etc. Rampant corruption, unplanned construction, urbanization, etc. We have encouraged decentralization by ignoring scientific warning. Such economic decisions have given priority to short-term gains over long-term geo-hazards.

Financial planning assessments show that if Himalayan infrastructure fails, massive losses can occur. You won't be able to cover it. But you have just approved it. You haven't checked spending patterns. You, and thought about climate proofing. There are many safe looking places in the Himalayas, but they are not as safe as you think. So, even if the governments blame climate change and extreme rainfall, the reality is that a large part of the destruction was preventable. We have put people in danger by planning and reckless construction.

We have built streets, hotels and towns in flood prone zones. For some money, some for corruption. Data clearly shows that if you plan for hydroelectric in the name of national security and connectivity, you need to have a bio-engineering background. For example, Nepal helped Kathmandu and plants on slopes, making proper drainage systems to reduce the risk of landslides, employing local people who know local topography, wiring, mesh, netting, anchors, and rock bolts on complex slopes. It is not that these technologies have never been used in India. They have been used for years. But still, we see that due to monsoon and landslides, these techniques have been used in very few places. This project could have been expanded more efficiently.

But we have focused on the speed of construction. Not on sustainability, environmental impact, landslide mitigation... You don't need to build dams on rivers like Ganga or Bias. Instead, you can build thousands of small streams and projects that can provide electricity to nearby villages and towns. This will not only reduce the damage to nature but also increase community participation. And even if the damage is caused, it will be localized. We have also discussed sustainable solutions in the last episode. For example, making room for river projects.

This policy fits well in the Himalayan landscape. Because our policy is the opposite. Make no room. Build cafe and house on the river. When the river floods, we will send home and cafe. On the contrary, Norway is imposing tourism tax. They don't need so many people but we have sent crores of people to our hills. Will politics be divided on this?

Can't we make this a non-partisan issue where all parties come together and find a sustainable solution? If we take the first step in the right direction, we can save thousands of lives in the coming years. But we need to think long term. Not just one party. All parties need to come together and find sustainable solutions. Because, it's going to rain, there will be more cloudbursts, and more lives will be lost. If we don't work together,, we will see more people dying like cockroaches. Our governments have only one choice.

Our governments have only one choice. Either they start leaving the way for rivers and natural formations, or they will find their own way and will take revenge for their actions.