The year 2025 has been a wakeup call to what a precarious position the Himalayan ecosystem is in. In northern India, disasters have taken the lives of hundreds of people, caused destruction of infrastructure and disruption of communities, as devastating cloudbursts, water flash floods and land slides occurred. These incidences highlight that development and climate resilience in the area requires a renewed approach.
Most Recent Disasters and Effects.
Thick downpours in Dehradun, Mandi and Mussoorie paralyzed life. Mussoorie was isolated almost two days and dozens of buildings in Dharali village near Gangotri were washed away in a few seconds. Landslides and floods in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir resulted in high loss of lives even during pilgrimages. Punjab also had one of the most disastrous floods which submerged thousands of villages and cause extreme damage to the economy.
Weak Ground and Dynamics of Growth.
The Himalayas are always unstable but the widening highways, tunnels, ropeways and hydropower stations have increased the risks. In Uttarakhand, the Char Dham road project that entailed massive deforestation and excavation of the slope has been criticized to have not considered the ecological sensitivities. Researchers caution that massive development in these areas of weakness makes them more susceptible to disasters.
The Science of Cloudbursts.
A cloudburst is the very heavy rainfall delivered in a very small region during a few minutes resulting in torrents of water and debris that flow down the steep sides at great speed. Such occurrences are very destructive and unpredictable since the energy emitted by them is potent to destroy buildings, bridges and roads within seconds.
Climate Change Connection
These drastic occurrences are attributed to climate change by scientists. Increase in global temperatures enhances the water cycle resulting into increased rainfall. Disturbances of the jet streams also contribute to the destabilization of the weather in South Asia and melting the Himalayan glaciers increase the risk of floods.
There is a necessity of stricter regulations.
The construction and deforestation activities are uncontrollable despite the protection measures in place such as Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone. Uncontrolled building has become an alarming factor to the Supreme Court and state governments that have asked to enact more stringent measures of environmental protection.
Preparing for the Future
Improved land-use planning, floodplain controls and early warning. Risks can be reduced by avoiding settlements where floods are likely to occur, and enhancing preparedness to disaster.
The Himalayan catastrophes of 2025 reveal a greater fact that, without sustainable growth and action on climate, the cost, human, economic and environmental, will keep on increasing.
Month: Current Affairs - September 26, 2025
Category: current affairs daily