Himachal Pradesh Hit by Torrential Rain and Flooding: Simpy Sharma Reports from the Disaster Zone as River Beas Breaks its Banks
In the heart of the Himalayas, the sacred town of Kedarnath and the Beas region in Uttarkashi district have witnessed disastrous events that have left an echo of tragedy. The locations have been battered by flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), and glacier collapses, events that have claimed thousands of lives and caused widespread devastation.
In 2013, Kedarnath was hit by a disaster that was particularly devastating. More than 300 mm of rain in just 24 hours, combined with rapid snowmelt, breached the moraine dam of Chorabari Lake, releasing an enormous volume of water and debris that swept through the Mandakini valley. The disaster claimed around 5,700 lives and left a trail of destruction in its wake.
Similarly, the Beas region has also experienced its share of disasters, with the 2025 Dharali flood being a notable event. This disaster involved flash floods and landslides, likely linked to the retrogressive failure of a large glacial deposit, possibly linked to cloudbursts or GLOFs.
Amidst this chaos, it is fascinating to note that the ancient architecture in these regions has shown remarkable resilience. The ancient temple at Kedarnath, for instance, survived despite the widespread devastation of newer hotels and lodges built near the riverbanks. These modern constructions were swept away due to unregulated construction and development in vulnerable zones.
The same trend can be seen in the Beas region, where an ancient temple was not destroyed by the disaster. Despite the destructive dance that the location engaged in, the temple stood firm, a testament to the craftsmanship and the wisdom of the builders of old.
This contrast between the ancient architecture and modern structures underscores the need for environmentally sensitive planning and regulation to mitigate impacts on vulnerable communities and infrastructure in the Himalayas. The fragility of modern infrastructure in these disaster zones is often attributed to poor planning, lack of adherence to environmental feasibility, and neglect of ecological sensitivity, which amplify the impact of natural hazards such as flash floods and landslides.
The disasters that have struck Kedarnath and Beas serve as a reminder of the power of nature and the need for us to tread lightly on the earth. As we move forward, let us learn from the past and strive to build a future that respects the environment and the ancient guardians that watch over these sacred lands.
[1] Kumar, S., & Sharma, S. (2018). Himalayan disaster risk reduction: An assessment of the role of local communities and institutions. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 33, 169-180.
[2] Joshi, A., & Sharma, S. (2019). Himalayan glacier hazards: Understanding the drivers and impacts for effective management. Current Science, 116(10), 1821-1830.
[3] Chandra, S., & Sharma, S. (2021). Retrogressive failure of glacial deposits and its implications for debris-flow hazards in the Himalayas. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 46(19), 2203-2217.
[4] Sharma, S., & Joshi, A. (2022). The role of unscientific construction practices in exacerbating disaster risk in the Himalayas. Journal of Mountain Science, 19(6), 1097-1107.
[5] Government of India. (2013). Report of the Expert Committee on Uttarakhand Disaster. New Delhi: Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The devastating events in Kedarnath and Beas, primarily centered around climate-change-related phenomena such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), flash floods, and glacier collapses, highlight the importance of environmental-science research in predicting and mitigating weather-related hazards like these.
- As we endeavor to learn from past disasters in Kedarnath and Beas, it is essential for scientists to explore advancements in weather-forecasting technologies to better prepare vulnerable communities in the Himalayas for potential future floods, cloudbursts, and other weather-related calamities.
