Natural Disasters in Uttarakhand :

The State is prone to severe earthquakes, landslides. In addition, the state is also affected by disaster like floods, epidemics, fire, hailstorm, lightening, road accidents, etc. The state of is highly vulnerable to multihazards viz. earthquake, landslides, flash-floods, avalanches, Dam Burst , drought, but particularly Earthquake, as the state falls in the highest seismic risk zones of the country i.e. Zone V and IV.

 In the disaster prone map of the country, Uttarkhand has attained its position among first five states in respect of natural hazards, i.e., earthquakes, flash floods triggered by cloud burst, landslides, avalanches and forest fires & frequent droughts in summers. These disasters have caused immense loss of property, natural wealth, and human lives. The State of Uttarakhand has witnessed seismic events of lesser magnitude (1991 Uttarkashi Earthquake, 1999 Chamoli Earthquake) this region has been identified as a potential site of a future catastrophic earthquake.

 With the growth of population and infrastructure seismic vulnerability has increased and previous earthquakes have provided a glimpse of the devastating potential of seismic tremors On the basis of damage caused due to disasters and their widespread nature, this state can be called one of the most disaster prone states of the country Remoteness and difficult accessibility in the rural areas along with lack of awareness on disaster risk reduction and preparedness have also contributed to increase in risk of the State’s population.

As per the Vulnerability Atlas of India, in Uttarakhand approximate 56% percent houses are made of mud, un-burnt brick and stone wall. This is a sign of 27 very high vulnerability, considering probability of Earth quake, Landslides, Flash flood and Cloud burst etc.

Vulnerability to Earthquake :

Uttarakhand is located in the seismic gap of the 1934 Bihar–Nepal earthquake and 1905 Kangra earthquake, and is categorized as falling in Zone IV and V i.e. state falls in the highest seismic risk zones of the country as been captured in the Vulnerability Atlas.Two regional tectonic features in Uttarakhand, which have earthquake potential, are the main central thrust (MCT) & the main Boundary Thrust (MBT).

Vulnerability to Landslides :

According to geological, topographical and climatic conditions of the area and human factors such as deforestation, unscientific road construction (blastings carried out for road cuttings), constructions of dams or reservoirs, housing schemes, roads, terracing and water intensive agricultural practices on steep slopes etc., implemented without proper environmental impact assessments have increased the intensity and frequency of landslides.

The vulnerability of the geologically young, unstable and fragile rocks of the Himalayan state has increased landslides many times in the recent past due to various unscientific developmental activities in Uttarakhand. Almost every year the state is affected by one or more major landslides affecting the society in many ways. Loss of life, damage of houses, roads, means of communication, agricultural land, are some of the major consequences of landslides in Uttarkhand. For this, the state is affected as because there is no other means of transport except roads.

Vulnerability to Floods :

 The State is bestowed with a relatively high average annual rainfall of 1229mm. Normally rain arrives in the State in late April and continues up to September. However, the intensity of rainfall increases during the months of June to September Higher rainfall occurring during this period causing floods in low lying areas and erosion of land throughout the State has become a regular feature in the State.

Deforestation in the Himalayas has increased the severity of floods during the rainy season and reduced steam flows and dried up springs during dry seasons. The increase of soil erosion has reduced the water carrying capacity of the rivers resulting into swallowing of riverbeds leading to floods in the plains.

Satellite data can be effectively used for mapping and monitoring flood inundated areas, for flood damage assessment, flood hazard zoning and post –flood survey of rivers configuration and protection works.

Cloudbursts  :

Though not a regular phenomenon, cloudbursts lead to exceptionally heavy rainfall and sudden flash floods in the mountainous streams and rivers, leading to breaching of banks and overflowing of dams. The State will take appropriate measures to decrease vulnerability and restrict construction to elevated places in the cloudburst prone areas.

Flash Floods  :

Heavy rainfall over a short period of time results in flash floods, landslides and flooding in some parts of the state. It is because the speed and quantity of inflow of water out pace out drainage systems. Very heavy rainfall in hill tops results in sudden down flow of water at a high speed and may create havoc in habitations down below the hillock. Sometimes, this high speed water evades the traditional path and carries with it Mudflows, Debris flows and Rock falls. Such flows and floods hardly give any time for preparation. Flash floods submerge areas suddenly and remain for a short period of time. Yet its damaging potential is as high as that of the general floods. The most unpredictable aspect of this is that flash floods hardly give any time for preparation.

Avalanches :

 Avalanches are the sudden slide of large mass of snow down a mountain. There are several factors, which can affect the occurrence of avalanche, including local weather, slope, atmospheric temperature, vegetation; terrain and general snow pack conditions. Different combinations of these factors can create low, moderate and extreme weather conditions. Most avalanches are very dangerous and cause huge loss of life and property. The temperature variation and wind speed are directly proportional to avalanches.

Drought :

 In context of Uttarakhand causes of drought are natural and human activities both. Several types of weather changes have also altered the normal rainfall pattern in an area and cause drought. And in last few years, it has been observed that human activities like soil erosion, deforestation, excessive use of ground water, pollution etc have also caused drought.

Hailstorms  :

Hailstorms cause heavy damage to crops and vegetation. Secondary hazards like snapping of electric poles due to uprooting of trees, disruption of communication links etc are also attributed to hailstorms.

                             Despite the given hazards in the State, the vulnerability of an area is determined by the capacity of its social, physical, environmental and economic structures to withstand and respond to hazards.  The State will endeavour to reduce the socio-economic vulnerability poverty alleviation programmes. The preparedness and mitigation initiatives run by the district and block administration will be sensitive to the increased vulnerability of the poor (BPL population) and the socially challenged groups and aim to reduce their vulnerability.

Preparedness & mitigation plans, therefore will have to be evolved locally to reduce the impact of the disasters. While evolving such areas specific preparedness & mitigation plans types of vulnerabilities will essentially define the level of preparation & mitigation strategies. These strategies will have to be concentrated more towards the social & economically backward communities as against the vulnerability of the overall system