According to geology expert Prof. Virender Singh Dhar, the main causes of the increase in landslides are extensive cutting of hill slopes for building and enlargement of roads, blasting for tunnels, and hydro projects.
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The Increase in Death Toll at Himachal
Authorities claim that the rain has caused 74 deaths in Himachal Pradesh, and on August 17 another body was found among the debris of a Shiva temple. Massive landslides in Shimla, including those that struck the Summer Hill Shiva temple, Fagli, and Krishnanagar, were responsible for 21 of these deaths. There have been worries about eight persons who might still be buried beneath the temple’s debris.
According to Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, as reported by PTI, P.L. Sharma’s body was found on August 16 in the Summer Hill landslide in Shimla. Sharma was the head of the department of mathematics at Himachal Pradesh University. According to the state emergency operation centre, two further rain-related deaths—one from a height and the other from drowning—were recorded in the Chamba district, bringing the four-day death toll to 74.
In Himachal Pradesh, 330 people have perished in rain-related accidents since the beginning of the monsoon on June 24. On Thursday, 309 people were rescued by the Indian Army, Air Force, and other rescuers from the flood-affected area near Fatehpur and Pong Dam in the Kangra district of India. 2,074 persons have been ejected from these regions over the last three days.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, stated on Friday that the state administration is making every effort to stop further fatalities in the region that has been devastated by the rain. “We are working on restoring the roads,” he continued.
The Impact of Infrastructure Development
According to experts, inappropriate constructions in the ecologically vulnerable Himalayas, declining forest cover, and buildings next to streams that obstruct water flow are to blame for the frequent landslides in Himachal Pradesh.
In the state of Himachal Pradesh, heavy rains and cloudbursts have significantly damaged infrastructure and claimed many lives. Over 60 people have died as a result of this week’s severe rains, which also caused landslides, house collapses, and road blockages.
There are 168 hydroelectric projects running right now, producing 10,848 MW of electricity. Although it is anticipated that 1,088 more hydroelectric projects would be put into operation by 2030, producing 22,640 MW of energy, the state is not seeking to stop.
The increase in hydropower projects raises questions about the likelihood of disasters in the area, which is currently gripped by a serious problem.
According to climate change scientist Suresh Attre, the intensity of the rain has increased, and the warm temperatures combined with heavy rainfall cause landslides due to the strata in locations where there has been cutting downstream on the slopes loosening.
NDRF Continues its Search and Rescue Operations
On Friday, August 14, NDRF members continued search and rescue efforts in the Shimla neighbourhood of Summer Hill, which was damaged by a landslip. Out of the 21 people who were reported missing after a significant landslip, the NDRF stated on Thursday that a total of 13 bodies had been discovered.
The rescue and search effort has been going on for 4 days, said NDRF Inspector Nafees Khan in a statement to ANI. The current rescue efforts in this area are being carried out by the Army, SDRF, and police. 13 bodies out of the missing 21 have been found so far.
Chhattisgarh CM Announces Compensation
The CM declared that he approved the release of Rs. 11 crore to the Himachal Pradesh government for the relief and rehabilitation of those impacted by the disaster on behalf of the people of Chhattisgarh.
Baghel stated in a statement on Friday that a serious natural disaster has struck the “Devbhoomi” (land of the gods) Himachal Pradesh and that in this situation, the people of Chhattisgarh are supporting the citizens of the northern state. (PTI)
