Abstract: This study examines the increasing incidences of cloudburst triggered debris-flows/flash floods in the Garhwal Himalaya, India. Data were gathered through the case studies of three incidences that occurred during the monsoon season – July, August, and September 2019. A total of 24 people died and 39 people were injured due to the cloudburst triggered debris-flows and flash floods events during the period. Further, about 150 roads were blocked and several houses, cowsheds, and agricultural land were drowned during the same time. This study reveals that most of the death and loss of property occurred along the river valleys because of the construction of houses on the fragile landscapes of these rivers’ banks. This study suggests that the construction of settlements should be avoided along the river valleys or on fragile landscapes. Economic activities should also be avoided in these fragile locations.
Keywords: Debris-flows, flash floods, cloudburst, Garhwal Himalaya.
Title: Increasing Incidences of Cloudburst Triggered Debris-Flows/Flash Floods in Garhwal Himalaya, India
Author: Vishwambhar Prasad Sati
International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations
ISSN 2348-1218 (print), ISSN 2348-1226 (online)
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