Uttarakhand Flood Was Triggered By A Massive Rockslide Below The Ronti Peak, Finds Study

The flood triggered by a glacier burst in Uttrakhand last month was the result of a massive rockslide just below the Ronti peak, a new scientific study has suggested.

The study conducted by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) said that the flood was not caused by a Glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) as there were no significant glacial lakes in the area.

ICIMOD

The study instead argues that rockslide resulted in the energy of the fall of about 22 million cubic metres of rock mixed with ice melted the ice creating the source of the flood.

This remobilized the debris and ice on the valley floor deposited by previous events, pushed the stream water and created an excessive flood wave.

Strong western disturbance resulted in heavy precipitation

The study further noted that a strong western disturbance resulted in heavy precipitation in the area, causing the rockslide and increased the flood magnitude downstream.

Reuters

The report also pointed out that other factors including an increase in the temperature in the region over the years and the destabilization of the rock due to the lack of ice cover.

Kathmandu-based ICIMOD, which has eight member countries, including India, Nepal and China in its report recommended that comprehensive monitoring of mountain environments is needed to avoid such disaster in the future.

The findings of a team of seven ICIMOD researchers, led by climate change specialist Arun Bhakta Shrestha, observed that infrastructure in the flood path, particularly hydropower projects, exacerbated the impact of the flood.

Reuters

The researchers said that human interference in the mountain environment is rapidly increasing. Mountain settlements are increasing in size and land use patterns are changing. Infrastructure such as roads and hydropower projects are rapidly penetrating mountain landscapes. The interplay between natural hazards with human settlements and infrastructure is an important aspect, which can significantly escalate the impacts of an event like the Chamoli flood. Disaster risk management, therefore, needs to incorporate a multi-hazard risk assessment approach.

"Infrastructure in the flood path, particularly hydropower projects, exacerbated the impact of the flood. Infrastructure development in fragile mountain environments should consider a sustainability framework, including environmental sustainability," it said.

The floods last months had swept away over 200 people out of which only around 70 bodies have been recovered so far.

It had also badly danged two hydroelectric projects in the region.

Though it is not considered an immediate threat, a lake that was formed from the avalanche is adding to the concerns of the villagers who witnessed the horror unfolding in front of their eyes.