DERHRDUN: Uttarakhand continued to be battered by a devastating series of disasters throughout the month of August, leaving a trail of destruction and loss behind.
The state government's response is: It has started a carrying capacity survey in 15 towns.
But the civil society groups are calling for immediate disaster mitigation measures as the toll stands at 78 lives lost, 1,471 houses damaged, and 7,737 animals perished by August 19. The estimated economic loss is nearly 1,000 crores.
The situation in Uttarakhand is dire, as revealed by the 11th Uttarakhand Disaster & Accident Synopsis (UDAS) report released by the Dehradun-based think tank and advocacy group, Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation.
The disasters began early in August when debris from the hills caused a devastating landslide near Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district. This tragic event washed away roadside shops, including a dhaba and two shops, leaving at least 23 people feared dead.
In Maroda village, Dhanaulti Tehsil, a house succumbed to debris invasion, tragically claiming the lives of two young siblings aged 10 and 12.
Gauri village in Rudraprayag witnessed a heartbreaking incident as debris from a hill buried a Nepali family's hut, resulting in the deaths of two children.
Just two days later, on August 10, debris from a hill tragically crushed a car in Rudraprayag district, claiming the lives of five pilgrims.
Mid-month, on August 15, a building collapse near Joshimath resulted in the deaths of two laborers, while five others were injured.
August 20 brought another tragedy when a bus carrying pilgrims from Gujarat met with a fatal accident on the Gangotri Highway, veering into a ditch, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals and injuries to 28.
On August 21, a devastating landslide at a taxi stand in Chamba, Tehri district, buried four people, with another body recovered the following day.
In addition to these heart-wrenching incidents, the state faced a cascade of problems, including landslides, house cracks, and road blockages due to incessant rainfall.
Residents were compelled to evacuate their homes, particularly along the Char Dham routes, which remained frequently closed.
The Badrinath route was the most severely affected, with multiple locations blocked on August 8th.
Moreover, on August 17, the Badrinath Highway between Maithana and Pursari collapsed, revealing 70-meter-long and 3-feet-deep cracks. Pipalkoti and Pagalnala faced repeated closures, along with routes to Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
Landslides also wreaked havoc in various regions, including Dehradun district (Kharmoli, Lakhwad, Maldevta, and Jakhan), Uttarkashi (Chinyalisaur), Nainital (Kathgodam), and Pauri district (Amsaur, Kotdwar, and Yamkeshwar).
Villages in Chamoli, such as Pagnau, Majju, Laga, Bemru, and Sunil, suffered from landslides and house cracks, forcing residents to flee their homes in the dead of night.
In response to these calamities, the Uttarakhand government has initiated a carrying capacity survey in 15 towns.
Anoop Nautiyal, Founder of SDC, stressed the urgent need to fortify the state's disaster management system.
He expressed hope that the Uttarakhand UDAS monthly reports will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, officials, researchers, civil society, and the media in their efforts to minimize the impact of disasters on this Himalayan region.
