INCIDENTS OF CLOUDBURSTS

In view of the increasing frequency and intensity of incidents of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and extreme rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, a Multi-Sectoral Central Team (MSCT) has been constituted. The Team comprises experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, and other concerned agencies. In addition, inputs received from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC) and Geological Survey of India (GSI) have also been incorporated.

The Team has been entrusted with the responsibility of undertaking a scientific assessment of the causes of increasing extreme weather events in the State, analysing the geographical and ground conditions of the worst-affected areas, compiling and examining data received from various agencies, and recommending long-term measures to minimise the impact of such disasters.

Assessments provided by weather experts, scientific institutions and State authorities indicate that, as a consequence of climate change, the intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall events are increasing in the Himalayan region. Accelerated snowmelt and moraine instability contribute to off-season slope failures and high runoff in high-altitude zones. As per MSCT study, anthropogenic factors have also contributed to the increased risk in the region.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

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