Constructions added to climate crisis woes

The series of suspected cloudbursts that hit three locations near Harsil, a village between Uttarkashi and Gagotri in Uttarakhand, was triggered by the monsoon trough being more north than it usually is at this time of the year, and accentuated bya cyclonic system over Bihar. according to experts.

- Jayashree Nandi

According to Uttarkashi district administration, at least 20 people are missing and about 80-90 buildings have been damaged as a result of the extreme weather events, likely caused by the climate crisis, and exacerbated by untrammelled construction in the region, including in river beds and on fragile slopes.

A status note on Tuesday evening by the Central Water Commission said a series of extreme weather events in the form of suspected cloudbursts occurred in quick succession on Tuesday in the Uttarkashi district, causing widespread damage and potential casualties. The first incident took place in Dharali, near Harsil, around 1:00 pm. The second incident occurred between Harsil and Gangnani (near Sukki Top), around 3:00 pm. And the third incident occurred near Army Camp, Harsil, around 3:30 pm

Horrifying videos of multiple buildings, habitations, market areas being washed away in the Bhagirathi Ecosensitive Zone, has once again captured the impact of climate change in the upper reaches of the Western Himalayas. But the experts also said that the impact has been particularly devastating because of the number of constructions on what appears to be the riverbed of Kher Ganga, a tributary of Bhagirathi.

Heavy rain, or cloudburst?

India Meteorological Department officials said there was no way to confirm if the extreme weather events were “cloudbursts”.

Cloudbursts are very localised phenomena that result in rain of 100mm in an hour.