This was bound to happen in Uttarkashi! The places where the homestays were located were the natural flood plains of the river

One rain and many areas of Uttarkashi were destroyed. Videos of Uttarkashi cloudburst are becoming increasingly viral on social media. In which it can be seen how Kheer Ganga is running like death behind the people running to save their lives. How Uttarkashi drowned in this devastation in a few hours due to cloudburst at three places of Uttarkashi. Let us know the whole matter in detail.

The scene of devastation started with cloudburst in Uttarkashi

The devastation started with cloudburst in Kheer Ganga at around 1:50 pm on August 5. Within a few hours, clouds burst at two more places in Uttarkashi, but the first and biggest devastation happened near Kheer Ganga in Dharali.

Here the entire Dharali market (Dharali Market), located on the flood plain of Kheer Ganga, was swept away in debris and water. It is clearly visible in these pictures that till now Kheer Ganga was flowing in the opposite direction. At the same time, the sudden arrival of water changed its direction and it took back its old flood plain (Uttarkashi flash floods).

Lives being searched in the rubble

Many people are reported missing in this flood. So far, the death of 4 people has been officially confirmed. The final death toll is yet to come. Har Doodh Mela was also going on in Dharali these days. People had come from far and wide. In such a situation, it is feared that the number of people affected by the disaster may increase further.

Cloudburst not at two but three places

The second accident took place in Telgad near Harshil. Where the water level suddenly rose so much that even the Harshil helipad and the army camp were buried in the rubble. Many soldiers are reported missing in this accident. The third case of cloudburst came to light from Awana Bugyal of Sukki. Due to which a lake was formed in the Bhagirathi river. There is a danger in its lower areas.

What is the reason for cloudburst in Uttarkashi? 

According to scientists, the biggest reason for cloudburst in Uttarkashi is the collision of Western Disturbance arising from Mediterranean Sea with Himalayas. In 2013, disaster occurred in Kedarnath due to this reason and now the same pattern is seen in Uttarkashi. Uttarkashi has always been very sensitive in terms of disasters, whether it is cloudburst, flood or earthquake.

Uttarkashi is very sensitive in terms of disaster

Talking about floods:-

On 6 August 1978, the flood in Kanodia Gad caused massive destruction.

In 2013, the Bhagirathi river overflowed and caused massive damage in Uttarkashi.

2017-18 – Due to the rising water level of Kheer Ganga, many hotels, shops and houses in Dharali were buried under debris.

Earthquakes in Uttarkashi

Let us tell you that hundreds of earthquakes have occurred in Uttarkashi in the last 100 years. Uttarkashi is very sensitive in terms of earthquakes, it falls in Zone 5. Talking about those earthquakes which have caused more destruction:-

In 1991, 768 people died due to earthquake here.

In 1999 and 2009 also, earthquake tremors of 7.8 Richter were felt here.
The places where homestays were located were the natural flood plains of the river.

Now the question is what was the demography of such a sensitive area earlier. What is the situation here now? According to researcher and author Mahipal Negi, once upon a time this area was the old Bagad and Thala of Kheerganga. The village used to be situated at a higher altitude.

The plains below where hotels and homestays are located today were the natural flood plains of the river. There used to be ghats, gharaats and grazing areas for cattle. But now, permanent buildings have been constructed in these flood plains. This is the condition not only in Dharali but in entire Uttarkashi, and to be honest, in entire Uttarakhand.

Unplanned construction in the mountains in the blind race of tourism

Due to the pressure of tourism and the blind race of modernity, people are doing unplanned construction in the mountains. This is a direct invitation to disasters. Environmentalists and scientists have also been saying the same thing for years. In the context of Dharali, if we believe the environmentalists, then the population here has become much more than the carrying capacity. But the government administration never paid attention to this. People kept on doing construction even in the flood plains of the river.

Glacial lake bursting is not the reason for the disaster

Initially, the accident in Dharali was being considered as a glacier lake bursting. But scientists say that perhaps water had stopped somewhere in the forest which suddenly flowed out due to the steep slope. Many experts also consider cutting of trees in large amounts and global warming to be responsible for this.

However, the exact reasons for the disaster have not been ascertained yet. But scientists believe that if this continues, then in the coming time more such pictures will emerge in many districts of Uttarakhand.