HPAS/Allied Mains 2022 Answer Writing Challenge Day 03: Model Answer

Question: Examine the various forms of disasters to which Himachal Pradesh is vulnerable.                      8 Marks

 Answer:                                                                                                                        

The United Nations defines disaster as “the occurrence of sudden or major misfortune which disrupts the basic fabric and normal functioning of the society or community”.

MAJORLY THREE TYPES OF DISASTERS ARE COMMON TO HIMACHAL PRADESH

1. EARTHQUAKES – Himachal Pradesh is a predominantly a hilly state Lying on the margins of Indo Australian Plate and Eurasian Plate which are in constant collision. Therefore, according to the Bureau of Indian Standards it is lying in the V seismic zone of Earthquake along with the other states of Himalayas.

Recent Examples of Earthquakes – Large earthquakes have occurred in all parts of Himachal Pradesh, the biggest being the Kangra Earthquake of 1905.There were two more big quakes, but they were not nearly as powerful as the 1905 jolt.  The first was in 1906, a 6.4 near Kullu and the second was a 6.8 in Lahual-Kinnaur Spiti in 1975 along the Indo-China Border.

2. Landslides – Having the rugged topography with steep slopes of sedimentary mountains Himachal Pradesh is Prone to Landslides and Avalanches. The Landslides and Earthquakes have become disastrous in the recent times in the wake of rapid unplanned urbanization, construction activities of Infrastructure and incessant Deforestation. eg – Heavy rainfall triggered the initiation of new landslides and reactivated existing ones along NH-22 in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh blocking and disrupting the traffic.

3. Cloud Burst – Being a hilly state having high altitude Mountains Himachal Pradesh is susceptible to Cloud Burst and in the recent. Meteorologists say the rain from a cloudburst is usually of the shower type with a fall rate equal to or greater than 100 mm per hour.

Unplanned development in such regions also makes them susceptible to huge destruction. The valley regions are one of the most densely populated, which leaves them vulnerable to the after effects of flash floods resulting from cloud burst.

Conclusion – The disaster risk could be reduced up to a certain extent if proper strategy has been laid down and, in this direction, government has already made National Disaster Management act, 2005. This act has a provision for State Disaster Management Plan to deal with the state specific disasters by building local capacity.