45% of Himachal Pradesh prone to landslides, floods: IIT study
What's the story
A recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, has found that over 45% of Himachal Pradesh is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters like floods, landslides, and avalanches. The study involved hazard susceptibility mapping of the state to determine areas at high risk from multiple natural hazards simultaneously. The study is part of a larger initiative by several IITs to assess multi-hazard vulnerability across Himalayan states.
Risk mapping
IIT Ropar study identifies high-risk areas in Himachal Pradesh
The findings were presented at the 2nd Indian Cryosphere Meet (ICM) at IIT Bombay, which was attended by nearly 80 glaciologists, researchers, and scientists from around the world. The study was conducted by MTech scholar Daishisha Iawphniaw under the guidance of Reet Kamal Tiwari, an associate professor at IIT Ropar. Geospatial data was utilized to assess the state's vulnerability to these natural disasters.
Hazard zones
Study highlights areas prone to landslides and floods
Tiwari explained that "areas with mean slopes between 5.9 degrees and 16.4 degrees and elevations up to 1,600 meters are particularly prone to both landslides and floods." He added that "higher-altitude regions with slopes between 16.8 degrees and 41.5 degrees are more likely to experience both avalanches and landslides." The study further identified steep mountain slopes and elevations above 3,000 meters as being at the "highest risk."
Disaster planning
GIS-based mapping classifies hazard-prone regions
The IIT Ropar study employed GIS-based mapping to categorize hazard-prone areas in Himachal Pradesh. It discovered that flood and landslide-prone areas are generally situated in lower-elevation river valleys, while high-altitude mountains are more vulnerable to avalanches. The study underscored how one hazard could trigger another due to common underlying causes, stressing the significance of this knowledge for enhancing disaster planning and risk management.
Ongoing research
Similar studies underway in other Himalayan regions
In July 2023, heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh resulted in devastating floods and landslides, causing massive infrastructure damage and loss of life due to flash floods and cloudbursts. Similar studies are being conducted in other Himalayan regions such as Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and northeast states. For Uttarakhand specifically, IIT Ropar is collaborating with IIT Roorkee on the study.