The deadly flash floods in Uttarkashi have once again highlighted systemic failures in disaster preparedness, with experts warning that the lack of an integrated early warning system for the Himalayan region is costing lives. Despite repeated discussions, implementation remains stalled, leaving vulnerable areas like Dharali at risk, according to an NDTV report.
Uttarakhand news: Why early warnings never reached Uttarkashi
Experts advocate for a multi-pronged strategy combining advanced technology with stronger governance to mitigate future disasters. Former Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr M Rajeevan, revealed that plans for a comprehensive warning system were discussed during his tenure but never materialised. “When I was the Secretary, we proposed an integrated early warning system for the entire Himalayan region. It was recorded in a high-level meeting but never implemented,” he was quoted by NDTV saying. He urged the Ministry of Earth Sciences to fast-track such initiatives under its Mausam Mission, stressing that “more damages can happen” without urgent action.
Dr Rajeevan emphasised the need for high-resolution weather models (1-3 km resolution) and AI-driven nowcasting systems to predict cloudbursts with a 1-3 hour lead time. “Mobile and app-based alerts, along with terrain-specific hazard zoning, are essential,” he said.
However, Himanshu Thakkar of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People noted that early warnings alone are insufficient without effective disaster response mechanisms. “We need Doppler radars, satellite monitoring and ground-level river tracking - but more importantly, systems to evacuate people in time,” he was cited by NDTV. Thakkar criticised the lack of accountability in environmental governance, calling for independent impact assessments and stricter compliance measures.
How unchecked construction fuelled Dharali village disaster
The recent devastation in Uttarkashi has been compounded by unregulated development, particularly the proliferation of hotels and homestays encroaching on river channels.
NDTV highlighted Thakkar’s criticism of the absence of effective regulations, stating, "We have no system to ensure that hotels, homestays and other civil constructions are not encroaching on the path of rivers and streams." He drew attention to major infrastructure projects, such as hydropower and urban expansion, that dump debris into rivers and constrict floodplains, endangering the landscape further.
Dr Rajeevan also advocated for regulatory reforms, particularly stricter controls on construction and tourism. "They are really spoiling the environment and river flow," he said, supporting terrain-specific hazard zoning as a way to balance development with ecological safety.
Climate change no excuse for poor governance
Experts have criticised systemic governance failures that go beyond the commonly cited issue of climate change, contending that these oversights are deepening vulnerabilities in disaster-prone areas such as Uttarkashi and high-altitude villages like Dharali, as per NDTV report.
Both experts acknowledge the likely influence of climate change on the increasing frequency of flash floods, but caution against treating it as a catch-all explanation for avoidable disasters.
While climate change intensifies extreme weather, the experts cautioned against using it to deflect blame. “Climate change should not be used as a carpet under which we can push all kinds of accountability and misgovernance," Thakkar was cited by NDTV, adding that robust governance and preparedness remain critical as these events become more probable.
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