Paper: GS – I, Subject: Geography, Topic: Geo – Physical Phenomenon, Issue: Uttarakhand Flash Floods.
Context:
Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand experienced a catastrophic flash flood triggered by torrential rains.
- The Kheer Ganga River overflowed, unleashing a torrent of water and debris that swept through Dharali village and surrounding areas.
Key Takeaways:
Key Points:
| Cloudburst | Landslide | Flash Floods | |
| Definition: | A cloudburst is a sudden, intense rainstorm that results in more than 10 cm of rain in less than an hour over a small area (approximately 10 km²). | A landslide is the downward movement of rock, soil, or debris on a slope due to gravity. It is a form of mass wasting, where earth materials move down a slope under the influence of gravity. | Flash floods are sudden increases in water levels during or immediately after intense rainfall. They are highly localized and short-lived events, typically occurring within 6 hours of rainfall. |
| Causes | It can also be accompanied by hail and thunder. | Natural factors like heavy rainfall, earthquakes, and water seepage weaken slopes, while human activities such as deforestation and construction increase risks. | Flash floods are primarily caused by intense rainfall that overwhelms the soil’s absorption capacity and drainage systems. |
| Cloudbursts are common in mountainous areas, especially in the Himalayas. | Geological factors, such as soil composition and terrain, also affect slope stability and can lead to landslides. | Apart from heavy rain, flash floods can also result from rapid snowmelt due to sudden temperature rise, dam or levee breaches, ice or debris jams, and sudden glacial lake outbursts. | |
| Due to their localised nature, cloudbursts are hard to predict or detect but can unleash sudden, devastating rainfall, leading to flash floods and landslides. | Additionally, urbanisation with impervious surfaces like roads and buildings increase runoff, reducing water absorption and intensifying flood risks. |
Immediate Response, Challenges, and Mitigation of Flood Disaster:
Conclusion:
The flash floods in Uttarkashi serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of Himalayan communities to natural disasters. While immediate rescue and relief efforts are crucial, long-term measures are needed to mitigate the risk of future disasters.
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