(Feature Image: Earthmovers on restoration work as massive landslide damaged buildings at Shamti after heavy monsoon rainfall, in Solan district, on July 11, 2023 | Photo Credit: PTI/The Hindu)

The Supreme Court’s notice on Shimla development plan that lacks balance between development and environment is welcome and one hopes the apex court takes the issue to its logical conclusion. The consequences of unplanned and ill planned urban developments are a clear invitation to major disasters, including floods, landslides, traffic congestions, air and water pollution, health hazards and also water shortages. The Shimla Master plan also violates the NGT directions with complete impunity.

This is exactly what the EDIT in the Times of India on Mussoorie misery, dangerous short termism that pervades across sectors in Urban India with no policy to guide Urban Water sector or for that matter any other sector.

It does not just affect the state governments, but affects even more seriously the central government and its projects in Uttarakhand as is clear from the central government reply in parliament about the recommendations of the 1976 Mishra Committee report. That we have failed to learn any lessons from the 2013 Uttarakhand flood disaster only adds weight for the Supreme Court to take this up seriously.

The impunity with which the National Highways are being built without credible environmental impact assessment, dumping muck straight into the rivers in the Himalayan region and building bridges that collapse within a short life span are only some of the immediate consequences of this Short Termism.

Shimla Plan must balance growth, environment: SC The Supreme Court on Friday (July 28 2023) said unplanned development and encroachments without measures to protect the environment are ruining cities, making them prone to flooding, landslides and traffic congestions. “We will examine the final Shimla development plan keeping in mind the balance to be maintained between development and environment,” the bench said. The Supreme Court on Friday posted for August 11 the vetting of the Shimla development plan, observing that “city after city is getting into bad shape because of unplanned development and unauthorised constructions coupled with encroachments on water bodies”.

– The bench of Justices BR Gavai and JB Pardiwala expressed the concerns in response to the Himachal Pradesh government’s submission of the final development plan for Shimla. The court’s decision came after environmentalist Yogendra Mohan’s counsel Sanjay Parikh told the bench that the concerns expressed by NGT over the draft development plan had not been taken into consideration and that the new plan presented a perfect recipe for environmental disaster in future.

– In February 2022, the Himachal government had launched the draft development plan 2041 for Shimla to contribute towards the ease of living. It had claimed that the draft plan would help in planned development of Shimla besides dealing with various issues. An NGT judgment of October 14 last year restrained giving effect to the Shimla draft development plan, saying it was in conflict with the green tribunal’s November 2017 order. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/shimla-plan-must-balance-growth-environment-supreme-court/articleshow/102216989.cms  (29 July 2023)

The Supreme Court has emphasised the need for maintaining a balance between development and environment. It has said that it will examine the Shimla Development Plan (SDP) on August 11. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/sc-to-examine-shimla-development-plan-530242  (30 July 2023)

EDIT Mussoorie Misery As much as this year’s monsoon has battered the mountain states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, a lot of the damage has been decades in the making. Now NGT has ordered the Dhami government to follow 19 recommendations for saving Mussoorie from destruction by construction and tourism, and this needs to be done regionwide. That will need the Himachal, Uttarakhand and central governments all showing strong political will and acting in concert.

– But this (1976 Mishra) committee’s well-known 1976 warnings about local vulnerabilities have been shrugged off not just by local projects but also national prestige projects. The devastating 2013 Kedarnath floods didn’t impel course correction either. This is very risky short-termism in the age of multiplying extreme weather events. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-editorials/mussoorie-misery/  (29 July 2023)

Joshimath Disaster The Centre on Thursday (July 27) told Parliament that it is up to the Uttarakhand state government to take action on the recommendations of the Mishra Committee report, which had warned about the Joshimath disaster 47 years ago and suggested remedial measures. “Action on the recommendation of the Mishra Committee is required to be taken up by the Government of Uttarakhand,” said Minister of State Ashiwini Kumar Choubey, responding to a question on the action taken after the Joshimath crisis. The statement comes at a time when incessant rain has led to more cracks in the disaster-hit town. “As per the National Policy on Disaster Management, the primary responsibility of disaster management, including disbursal of relief and rehabilitation of the people affected due to the disaster also rests with the State Government. The Central Government provides necessary financial and logistics support as per the established procedure,” he told the Rajya Sabha. https://www.news18.com/india/joshimath-disaster-up-to-uttarakhand-govt-to-act-on-mishra-committee-report-centre-tells-parliament-8441527.html  (27 July 2023)

HYDRO POWER PROJECTS

Himachal Pradesh Kullu: Malana dam gates still jammed The NDRF has not been able to open the jammed flood gates of the overflowing 100 MW Malana II hydroelectric project in Kullu. People residing along the Beas in Kullu and Mandi districts are spending sleepless nights as the Malana dam is overflowing after its flood gates jammed due to heavy silt influx. “The flood gates of the dam could not be opened. The dam is still overflowing but the water flow is under control,” said Kullu Deputy Commissioner Ashutosh Garg. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/malana-dam-gates-still-jammed-529289  (27 July 2023)

-बुधवार (July 26) को दो एनडीआरएफ की टीम मलाणा डैम में पहुंच कर तकनीकी कर्मचारियों को कंट्रोल रूम पहुंचने में मदद कर रही है। https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/ndrf-deployed-in-overflow-dam-of-malana-project-ii-2023-07-26  (26 June 2023)

बांध के गेट कैसे खोले जाए इसका लगातार प्रयास किया जा रहा है। लेकिन अभी तक कोई विकल्प सामने नहीं आया है। मणिकर्ण घाटी में स्थित इस बांध के गेट गाद (मिट्टी) के कारण सोमवार (July 24) दोपहर बाद से बंद हो गए थे। इसके बाद मंगलवार (July 25) सुबह जिला प्रशासन की ओर से एक तकनीकी टीम को बांध पर भेजा गया था। लेकिन स्थिति अब भी पहले की तरह बनी हुई है। मलाणा परियोजना के अधिकारी कुछ भी नहीं कह रहे हैं। उनसे जब फोन पर संपर्क साधा गया तो एक के बाद एक अधिकारी यह कह रहा है कि हम इस मामले में कुछ नहीं कह सकते हैं। ऐसे में अगर पानी के ओवरफ्लो होने का खतरा लगातार बना हुआ है। मंगलवार (July 25) को बांध के किनारे को तोड़कर अतिरिक्त पानी निकाला गया है। लेकिन इसका भी कोई असर नहीं हो रहा है। इससे भी पानी कम नहीं हो पाया है। https://www.jagran.com/himachal-pradesh/kullu-kulloo-dam-of-malana-power-project-remains-under-threat-there-is-still-a-possibility-of-breaking-dam-alert-issued-23483690.html   (27 July 2023)

Malana stage 2 Dam gate malfunction causing water overflow into Parvati River. STAY AWAY for safety! Authorities are on it.Village residents, AVOID the river vicinity. PLEASE SHARE to spread awareness. Safety must be our priority. https://twitter.com/dprhp/status/1683442945188577280?s=20   (24 July 2023)

The state govt on July 25 appointed Amitabh Awasthi, Secretary, Jal Shakti Department, as Chairman of the State Commission for Water Cess on Hydropower Generation. The Chief Secretary issued the notification in this regard here. Awasthi, an IAS officer, will assume charge after his superannuation on July 31. The three members, who had been appointed, are HM Dhareula, an engineer with the HP State Electricity Board, Arun Sharma and Joginder Singh. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/awasthi-to-head-water-cess-commission-529093  (26 July 2023)

Uttarakhand Rapid fluvial remobilization of sediments deposited by Chamoli disaster Rapid fluvial remobilization of sediments deposited by the 2021 Chamoli disaster:-Our findings characterize a high-mountain fluvial cascade with a short relaxation time and high resilience to a high-magnitude geomorphological perturbation. This system response has wider implications, notably for water quality and downstream hydropower projects, which may be disrupted by elevated bedload and suspended sediment transport.

“Findings show that the high sediment load may mean less reservoir capacity for hydropower projects, so projects must be well thought out and assuming a 40 year or so lifetime for reservoirs can’t be the way forward when planning/building such projects.” Kavita Upadhyay, member of study team. https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article/doi/10.1130/G51225.1/627323/Rapid-fluvial-remobilization-of-sediments  (27 July 2023)

Study Himalayas losing glaciers and snow: more hazards in the offing Permafrost thaw makes surfaces, slopes and infrastructure unstable, making a good case for a change in government policies on large hydropower projects in the region, a debate that has been raging in India for some time. Additionally, permafrost thaw leads to increased sedimentation in rivers which damages dams and turbines, Steiner added. https://india.mongabay.com/2023/07/himalayas-losing-glaciers-and-snow-more-hazards-in-the-offing-a-new-study-finds/   (25 July 2023)

Ladakh’s Parkachik glacier is undergoing significant changes, with the possibility of three new lakes forming as a result of subglacial over-deepening, according to a recent study conducted by scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. https://www.greaterkashmir.com/ladakh/three-new-lakes-may-form-in-parkachik-glacier-in-ladakh-due-to-glacial-retreat  (29 July 2023)

Centre Hydropower Potential from Major/Medium Schemes The Government, in 2013, had constituted a Committee under Central Electricity Authority (CEA) with members from Central Water Commission (CWC), Geological Survey of India (GSI), Survey of India (SoI), National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for finalizing the Terms of Reference (ToR) regarding basin-wise reassessment of hydroelectric potential in the country.  The reassessment study was carried out by CEA during the period 2017-23.  As per the study, the assessed hydropower potential from major / medium schemes (i.e. schemes having capacity above 25 MW) is about 133.4 GW. State wise potential is given at the link. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1943390  (27 July 2023)

Andhra Pradesh A 1,350 Megawatt (9×150 MW) PSHP at upper Sileru in GK Veedhi mandal of ASR district will be the first one to take off under the aegis of the joint venture. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ap-genco-nhpc-to-set-up-joint-venture-for-implementing-pumped-storage-hydropower-projects-in-andhra-pradesh/article67115760.ece  (24 July 2023)

DAMS

Polavaram Project Releasing of funds Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, vide Office Memorandum dated 05.06.2023, has communicated no objection to additional funding for completing the balance work of Polavaram Irrigation Project (PIP) for filling of water up to 41.15 meters amounting to Rs. 10,911.15 crore and Rs. 2,000 crore for cost of repairing damages caused to PIP by flood being considered by the Government of India, subject to the approval of the Cabinet, by modifying the earlier Cabinet decision.

– Government of Andhra Pradesh, vide letter dated 05.06.2023, has submitted revised cost estimate for Rs.17,144.06 crore for balance works for phase I, i.e., for storage of water upto EL 41.15 m. Action has been taken for examination of the proposal expeditiously for facilitating its approval by the Government of India. However, it is not considered advisable to set a time line for the purpose.

– Hon’ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, vide letter dated 15.07.2022, requested for sanction of an adhoc grant of Rs. 10,000 crore to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, based on the proposal regarding PIP submitted by the State Government vide letter dated 15.03.2022. The provision requested has been duly incorporated in the O.M. dated 05.06.2023 of Department of Expenditure referred above. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1942158  (24 July 2023)

Mekedatu Dam A video on impacts and consequences of the proposed Mekedatu Project from India Today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2EpLELhqA8  (06 July 2023)

INTERLINKING OF RIVERS

Ken Betwa Project Bungling: According to this report, against submergence of 6017 ha of forests, revenue dept has so far transferred 5479 ha for land in Panna and Chhattarpur districts. However, Forest dept says that out of this, 2019 ha is actually forest land, so only 3460 ha of revenue land has been transferred.

https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/bhopal/news/forest-department-got-2019-hectares-of-land-in-lieu-of-forest-already-declared-forest-land-131589226.html  (26 July 2023)

INTERSTATE WATER DISPUTES

BBMB सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने भाखड़ा ब्यास प्रबंधन बोर्ड (बीबीएमबी) में राज्य सरकार की हिस्सेदारी के मामले की सुनवाई अगस्त के अंतिम सप्ताह में निर्धारित की है। 26 और 27 जुलाई को अदालत के समक्ष सुनवाई के लिए लगातार सूचीबद्ध रहे मामले पर समय के अभाव के कारण सुनवाई नहीं हो पाई। हालांकि, केंद्र सरकार ने अदालत से इस मामले पर मध्यस्थता करने का आग्रह किया था। राज्य सरकार के महाधिवक्ता ने केंद्र सरकार के आग्रह का विरोध किया और अदालत को बताया कि इस मामले में कई बार मध्यस्थता विफल हो चुकी है। https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/hearing-on-himachal-govt-s-stake-in-bbmb-issue-fixed-in-august-2023-07-29  (29 July 2023)

RIVERS AS NATIONAL WATERWAYS

Bihar Two vessels to operate in Patna, Bhagalpur soon State tourism department and the Inland Waterways Authority of India signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Monday (July 24). Two vessels, each capable of accommodating up to 300 tourists, will operate in Patna and Bhagalpur, as a result of the MoU. One of the vessels will navigate between Janardan Ghat near Digha, Patna (west of J P Setu), and Kangan Ghat in Patna City. The second vessel will connect Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary via Bhagalpur’s Kahalgaon, Sultanganj, and Bateshwar.

-Rajak, director of IWAI, said, “The vessels are expected to arrive in Patna and Bhagalpur within the next two weeks.” BSTDC MD Nand Kishor said, “The tender process for the cruise operations is underway. Once all formalities are completed, the cruises will be promptly launched to boost tourism in the region.” To facilitate the smooth functioning of the river cruise tourism, a total of 45,000sq ft of land near Janardan Ghat, Digha, Patna and Marine Drive overbridge pillar nos. 195 to 200 at Kangan Ghat, Patna City has been designated for parking of the vessel. The construction work is completed, including permanent ramps, jetties and ladders to ensure a seamless experience for tourists. https://travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/destination/states/two-vessels-to-operate-in-patna-bhagalpur-soon/102094847  (25 July 2023)

IRRIGATION

Rajasthan Depleting groundwater makes it difficult for farmers to use solar pumps Around 99,000 farmers in Rajasthan have installed solar pumps for irrigation in the last decade. However, farmers in many districts, where the groundwater levels are depleting, are unable to now use these pumps to draw water. Many of these farmers are repurposing the solar panels for other uses or selling them. They are demanding that the central government subsidise more powerful solar pumps to extract water from a greater depth. Experts, however, disagree with the demand for more powerful pumps, saying it will lead to further overextraction of water.  https://india.mongabay.com/2023/07/depleting-groundwater-makes-it-difficult-for-rajasthan-farmers-to-use-solar-pumps/  (25 July 2023)

URBAN RIVERS

Pune The proposed Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development Project (RFD) in Maharashtra’s Pune has run into turbulence, with environmental activists fearing that concretisation of the riverbank may lead to increased floods and authorities insisting that the project will help control floods. https://theprint.in/india/could-riverfront-development-boost-flood-risk-rs-5500-cr-project-behind-punes-chipko-moment/1592445/  (25 May 2023)

Panchkula Cops will be deployed at Ghaggar river to check dumping of waste To check immersion of religious offerings in Ghaggar, a police team will be deployed to penalise people who stop vehicles on the river’s bridge for throwing waste in it. This was stated by the Panchkula deputy commissioner before the principal bench of the NGT. The submission came in response to a petition by one Meenu Devi on July 25. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/police-team-deployed-to-penalise-those-throwing-waste-in-river-ngt-orders-compliance-with-pollution-control-guidelines-101690412673169.html  (27 July 2023)

Reply from the Commissioner and Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources Department in compliance of NGT orders dated 11/01/2023. The report informed the Tribunal that construction and demolition waste from Ghaggar plain has been lifted and disposed off with the help of the District Administration, HSVP and Municipal Corporation of Panchkula. http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/content/474491/flood-plain-zone-of-river-ghaggar-under-process-haryana-irrigation-and-water-resources-department-13022023/  (13 Feb. 2023)

RIVERS

Face Book link of Who needs living rivers by Parineeta Dandekar. https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&mibextid=2Rb1fB&ref=watch_permalink&v=807133827453507  (30 July 2023)

GANGA Uttarakhand Recent bridge collapses fuel worries over Doon-Del e-way In the light of recent incidents of bridges collapsing amid heavy rains in Uttarakhand, activists and experts have expressed concern regarding the elevated Doon-Delhi expressway, which is currently under construction. Not only is the bridge being constructed on the fragile Shivalik ecosystem, pillars for the elevated section of the expressway have been installed on the Asan riverbed, making them susceptible to flooding in monsoons.

-Besides, there’s the threat of illegal mining, a chronic menace in the hill state which is believed to have recently brought down the Malan bridge in Kotdwar by weakening its foundations. “Having the foundations of a bridge on a riverbed is not a good idea. Monsoons would cause a rise in the water and the rains would bring down debris from the hills. These would engulf the pillars and weaken them. The Asan river is in spate and only about a fifth of each pillar is above water right now. Prolonged submersion in water and muck must be damaging the structure already,” said Reenu Paul. She said they had filed a PIL, it was referred to an NGT committee, but did not lead to useful results.

– Regular commuters on the route claimed that rebars — reinforcing steel — put in place have already started bending because of the rains and increased water flow. Locals also alleged that ongoing construction had damaged the existing infrastructure. “The highway seems to be caving in around the edges,” said a resident. Doon-based social activist, Anoop Nautiyal added, “If the initial days of rain could have done this to the project, the whole project needs to be relooked and if necessary, called off”. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/recent-bridge-collapses-fuel-worries-over-doon-del-e-way/articleshowprint/102220191.cms  (29 July 2023)

मलबे में धंसे दिल्ली–दून एलिवेटेड रोड के पिलर, परियोजना पर उठे सवाल एनएचएआई की महत्वकांक्षी परियोजना दिल्ली-देहरादून एक्सप्रेसवे के तहत बन रहे एलिवेटेड कॉरिडोर को लेकर पर्यावरणविद आगाह करते रहे हैं। लेकिन उन चिंताओं को नजरंदाज पर 210 किलोमीटर के दिल्ली-देहरादून एक्सप्रेसवे का काम आगे बढ़ रहा है। इसमें 12 किलोमीटर पिलर के ऊपर उठी एलिवेटेड रोड बरसाती मोहन राव नदी और मोहंड के जंगल में बन रही है। नदी के तट को समतल कर उस पर पिलर उठाए गए। ये पिलर नदी के बीचोंबीच या किनारों पर हैं। पिछले हफ्ते हुई बारिश को देखते हुए एलिवेटेड रोड को लेकर चिंताएं बढ़ गई हैं।

-बरसात में मोहन राव और अन्य छोटी नदियां (सुख राव, सोलनी, छिल्लावाला राव, छिकना राव, बिंज राव, अंधेरी राव, गज राव आदि) भरकर, तेज बहाव से बह रही हैं। मोहन राव पर खड़े पिलर मलबे में धंस गये हैं। कुछ पिलर के बेस पानी के तेज बहाव की चपेट में आ चुके हैं। निर्माणाधीन परियोजना के इस हाल को देखकर पर्यावरणविदों की चिंताएं सही साबित होती नज़र आ रही हैं। क्योंकि एलिवेटेड कॉरिडोर की साइट पर भारी वर्षा से नदी क्षेत्र में मलबा जमा हो गया है। देखना है कि इससे निर्माणाधीन परियोजना पर कितना असर पड़ेगा। खबर है कि इसके आकलन का जिम्मा एनएचएआई ने आइआइटी रुड़की के विशेषज्ञों को दिया है। https://www.aslibharat.com/delhi-dehradun-elevated-corridor/  (25 July 2023)

The authorities have suspended operations of four STPs in Rudraprayag district for “non-compliance” amid a safety audit. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/dehradun-news/sewerage-treatment-plants-suspended-in-uttarakhand-s-rudraprayag-district-amid-safety-audit-and-noncompliance-101690197189549.html  (24 July 2023)

Uttar Pradesh Airport expansion; soft drink plant discharges put villagers in a fix The Coca-Cola bottler plant extracts about 4,480 kilo litres per day (KLD) of groundwater and produces 1,850 KLD of industrial effluent, the NGT panel has found. This means that over half the water extracted is unused and is discharged into Tilaiya drain unused, while the rest is released without being treated or demineralised.

-The Tilaiya drain, locally known as Tilodki Ganga, is a stream of the Sarayu river. The narrow rain-fed channel is the main source of irrigation for the locals and later merges with the Sarayu again. 

-The channel is slowly disappearing with the expansion of the airport in Ayodhya. The industrial effluents discharged into the drain are also affecting the crops in the region and damaging the fields, alleged villagers. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/ayodhya-airport-expansion-and-discharge-of-untreated-water-from-coca-cola-factory-put-villagers-in-a-fix-90853  (27 July 2023)

YAMUNA Delhi DJB has got Rs 1,200 crore According to the reply to an RTI application filed by Delhi-based environment activist Amit Gupta, DJB received over Rs 1,000 crore under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) for Yamuna Action Plan III and over Rs 200 crore between 2018 and 2023 under the same mission. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/clean-yamuna-djb-has-got-rs-1200-crore/articleshow/102093646.cms  (25 July 2023)

RIVERS BIODIVERSITY

Uttar Pradesh Fishermen killed a dolphin According to a complaint lodged by Chail forest ranger Ravindra Kumar on Monday, a dolphin got trapped in a net when four fishermen from Naseerpur village here were fishing in Yamuna in the morning on July 22, Pipri SHO Shravan Kumar Singh said.

They brought out the dolphin from the river and carried it on their shoulder to a house, where they cooked and ate it, Singh said. The forest ranger, in his complaint, added that some passersby filmed the fishermen while they were carrying away the dolphin, the SHO said. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2023/jul/25/four-up-fishermen-catch-dolphinfrom-yamuna-river-eat-it-booked-2598389.html  ( 25 July 2023)

Study -In the present study, we studied the habitat suitability of young golden mahseer (fingerlings and juveniles) in the streams of the Ramganga River, one of the prominent rivers of the western Himalaya. Different habitat types and microhabitat features were documented. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/rra.4192  (25 July 2023)

Punjab Ludhiana: llegal breeding of banned Thai Magur fish raises concerns Experts have warned about the dire consequences of cultivating the banned fish in polluted ponds, as its predatory nature disrupts the delicate balance of pond ecosystems by preying on other aquatic insects and small fish. This ecological disturbance has far-reaching implications, especially in the aftermath of floods that have facilitated the spread of this variety to fresh water sources, including the Sutlej river. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/illegal-cultivation-of-banned-thai-magur-fish-in-punjab-raises-concerns-for-ecosystem-and-public-health-101690307899568.html  (25 July 2023)

Report Freshwater Systems Produce Or Influence More Than Half Of Fish Consumed Globally Jeff Opperman: -The first question you may ask is: how can so many fish come from such a tiny (globally speaking) volume of water? That tiny volume is spread across various types of freshwater habitats, and while the oceans are incredibly deep—and so, by volume, most ocean water is dark and unproductive—most freshwater habitats are relatively shallow. Within these shallow habitats, the sun can drive food webs to support diverse species of plants and animals. In fact, floodplains and wetlands are among the most diverse and productive habitat types on Earth, and the most productive freshwater fisheries come from rivers connected to extensive floodplains, such as the Amazon, Irrawaddy, and Mekong.

-Rivers also exert a strong influence on a significant portion of ocean fish harvests. Nutrients drive productivity, and nutrients are in scarce supply across much of the open ocean – but they are abundant in estuaries.

-While it is impressive that so much fish is produced from such a tiny area, globally speaking, it also underscores the vulnerability of that production. Freshwater fisheries can be negatively impacted by a range of threats. The second blog post on fisheries explores these threats and solutions. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffopperman/2023/07/26/freshwater-systems-produce-or-influence-more-than-half-of-fish-consumed-globally-part-1/  (26 July 2023)

-This is the second of two posts focused on fisheries from rivers and other freshwater systems, part of a series examining how rivers underpin food security and how managing rivers as systems will be crucial for maintaining their ability to produce food and a range of other benefits. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffopperman/2023/07/26/freshwater-systems-produce-or-influence-more-than-half-of-fish-consumed-globally-part-2/  (26 July 2023)

SAND MINING

Karnataka  Single-window system to resolve mining issues CM Siddaramaiah directed ministers and senior officers to set up a single-window system to resolve mining lease issues. Mines and geology, revenue and forest ministers and officers must hold monthly meetings to resolve issues related to forest clearance, and other permissions to mining companies on the model of a single-window system, he said. He held a high-level meeting to settle pending issues related to the forest department, with agencies that come under the mines and geology department in the state.

-CM Siddaramaiah has instructed the Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation to amend the bylaws of the corporation to make the CM as the chairman of the governing body to enable it to effectively implement the action plan of the Comprehensive Development Plan for Mining Impact Zones (CEPMIZ) in mine-affected districts as approved by the Supreme Court.  He directed the corporation to prioritise the effective implementation of the Comprehensive Development Plan for mining sectors. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2023/jul/28/single-window-system-to-resolve-mining-issues-in-karnataka-2599357.html  (28 July 2023)

Telangana Mine workers stranded in Manair floods 15 drivers and other workers working in sand quarries were stranded in the Manair river near Gopalpur of Manthani mandal on Thursday (July 27). One person, Madhu, who was washed away in the flood water, managed to swim to safety and reached ashore at the Odaram village.

-The others took shelter on an excavator and informed the matter to the district administration over phone, following which district collector Muzammil Khan along with Zilla Parishad Chairperson Putta Madhukar rushed to the bank of Manair river and started the rescue operation by deploying two speed boats. One excavator was washed away in the flood. https://telanganatoday.com/15-persons-stranded-in-manair-river-near-manthani-rescue-operations-on  (27 July 2023)

-Six persons lost their lives in heavy rains in the last 24 hours in the state taking the death toll to nine in rain-related incidents, while a pregnant woman in Sircilla and 19 workers were rescued from swirling waters in Peddapally district. In Peddapally, 19 workers were rescued from a sand quarry. They were stuck in the quarry in Maneru Vagu in Gopalpur in Manthani mandal. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/rains-claim-six-lives-in-state-toll-9-scores-rescued/articleshow/102185178.cms  (28 July 2023)

Himachal Pradesh Besides heavy rain, illegal mining impacted river course Illegal mining is rampant in the riverbeds of the Sutlej, Yamuna, Beas, Ravi, Chakki and Swan. From dusk to dawn, dozens of tippers and tractor-trolleys laden with sand and gravel head out, while earthmovers wreak havoc, plundering the riverbed even as mechanized mining is banned. Due to heavy rainfall in the state on July 9 and 10, almost all rivers and their tributaries were in spate and at many places they changed their course, wreaking havoc on the embankments. The destruction along the banks of the Beas was widespread, causing heavy losses to life and property in Kullu and Mandi districts.

-“Indiscriminate sand mining minus regulation is detrimental to the riverine ecosystem. With the rise in mindless construction, mechanised excavation has increased and contractors backed by political support flout rules. In 2022, the government further eased the minor minerals rules, relaxing transit and allowing heavy equipment for dredging the riverbed,” says Manshi Asher, an environmental activist.

-When contacted, state geologist Piyush Guleria said, “Boulders and stones in the river help in checking the speed of the water during floods, particularly on the banks. We have set up squads to check illegal mining but they are vulnerable if outnumbered by the mafia. Debris dumping certainly impacts the flow of the water.”

-Sanjiv Singh, 41, a farmer of Bhang village on the banks of the Beas near Manali says, “A major flood took place here in 1995. The government constructed retaining walls at certain places to protect the riversides from destruction. One of the reasons for the largescale damage this time is the illegal mining on the stretch from Nehru Kund to Potato Ground. The river has changed its course. People are breaking boulders for constructing houses. There is no check.” https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/illegal-sand-mining-and-heavy-rain-caused-devastating-floods-in-himachal-pradesh-101689940600585.html  (21 July 2023)

Mining mafia operating illegally along the Haryana-Baddi border has damaged a bridge near here. Despite informing the nearest police station, no immediate help was provided to arrest the wrongdoers. Though the Baddi police have constituted a mining cell that has a large number of CCTV and drone cameras to keep an eye on wrong-doers, there seems to be no check on the illegal activity. A majority of the bridges are facing damage due to unchecked illegal mining in this industrial belt.

During a raid conducted on July 26, the mining officer, along with his team, spotted two tippers loaded with illegally mined material along the Kulhariwala khad and one tipper at Dhundli khad near the Haryana border along the Balad khad. This illegal activity is causing damage to the key bridge on the Balad khad which is a vital link between Haryana and Baddi. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/illegal-mining-along-border-damages-bridge-in-baddi-belt-530631  (31 July 2023)

Punjab Illegal mining weakens Ghaggar embankments in Patiala district Rampant illegal sand mining around towns and villages near the Ghaggar river over the past two decades has posed a serious threat to the existence of several villages in the area. Residents blame illegal mining for the breaches in embankments of the Ghaggar every monsoon, causing losses to poor villagers. “Even during the present floods, the first breach occurred in our villages and despite the Irrigation Department claiming to have spent crores in tackling the river’s fury, the illegal mining has resulted in loose soil around the river,” a resident of Kaami village said.

As illegal mining creates craters in the fields, the gushing Ghaggar water erodes the foundation of the bridges, allowing frequent breaches. Rampant mining in the past many years, irrespective of political affiliations, has resulted in breaches in the Ghaggar in the areas of Ghanaur, Sanaur, Shutrana and Samana.

Villagers from Sanaur claim that any complaint to the authorities leads to “intimidation and harassment”. “They (henchmen of politicians) dig about 15-20 feet around the Ghaggar even if they have been given permission for only 10 feet, or even carry out activities without any permission,” a villager alleged. “If you think mining has stopped, you are mistaken. It is a never-ending process and only the political boss changes after every election. Loaded trucks leaving Ghaggar banks are still a normal sight,” a villager said.

Former General Manager-cum-District Mining Officer, Patiala, Tehal Singh said, “The politicians are hand in glove with the local police and officials of the Irrigation Department continue to excavate sand, leading to weak river banks that result in flooding.” https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/illegal-mining-weakens-ghaggar-embankments-530167  (30 July 2023)

Uttarakhand Hearing a PIL related to alleged illegal mining being carried out on land leased to some farmers for cultivation, the high court (HC) on Monday asked the government how mining was allowed there. The court ordered the government to file its affidavit by the next hearing of the case on July 24. Dharamveer Saini, a resident of Haridwar, had said in a PIL that the forest department had given 55 hectares of land on lease to some families in Muzaffarpur Mauza village for agricultural activities, but now illegal mining is going on in the land. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/hc-seeks-response-from-govt-on-mining-on-agricultural-land/articleshow/101909391.cms  (19 July 2023)

मुरादाबाद -जिले में फिर शुरू हुआ खनन का काला कारोबार, जिले भर से निकल रहे रेत और  बजरफुट के ट्रक , बिना नंबर प्लेट के खुलेआम चलते हैं ट्रक ,ट्रकों के नंबर प्लेट में लगा दिया जाता है काला पेंट.   https://twitter.com/bstvlive/status/1685138574990262272?s=20  (29 July 2023)

Bihar 1 shot dead for resisting illegal sand mining The henchmen of a sand mafia gang opened fire on the villagers for resisting mining in their fields, killing one person in the Bihta area of rural Patna on Saturday. The man, identified as Ramvichar Rai (45) was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to the bullet injuries during treatment.

Incharge of Bihta police station, Raju Kumar, said the deceased was the son of one Amir Lal Rai. The incident took place at Pathlautia village near Bihta in Patna district. He said two groups clashed with each other over illegal sand mining near the Sone river ghat. The members of a sand mafia gang were forcefully mining sand from the diara field belonging to the people of the village. The other group protested and clashed with the illegal sand miners. Both sides exchanged fire. The police team reached the spot after getting the information, he said.

According to the police sources, sand mafia gangs have encroached upon the land used to grow vegetables. They said the residents of Pathlautia were sitting at the Sun Temple of the village in the morning when firing started from the sand mafia side. A man sitting at the temple was shot at. The villagers took shelter inside the temple to escape the gunshots and returned the fire, the sources added. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/1-shot-dead-for-resisting-illegal-sand-mining/articleshow/102241465.cms  (30 July 2023)

Sand mafia in Navada district kill a police official.

WATER OPTIONS

Rajasthan 1,000 women are conserving water Gram Chetna Kendra has supported women from 15 villages around India’s largest saltwater lake Sambhar to build water harvesting structures. The NGO has helped them shift to organic farming and cattle rearing to earn a stable income. https://30stades.com/enterprise/how-1000-women-around-sambhar-salt-lake-are-conserving-water-practising-organic-farming  (21 July 2023)

Karnataka Geomembrane tanks come up in coastal belt to harvest rainwater for farming At least four such tanks, of which one having the capacity to store 1.5 crore litres of rainwater per annum, were built in the belt recently under the guidance of N.J. Devaraja Reddy, a Chitradurga-based hydrogeologist and rainwater harvesting consultant, founder of Geo Rain Water Board. All the four tanks are harvesting (storing) rainwater of this season. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/geomembrane-tanks-come-up-in-coastal-belt-to-harvest-rainwater-for-farming/article67138895.ece  (30 July 2023)

Report Eight step wells, 2 cities, 10 years—how collaboration revived crumbling Mughal ‘baolis’. https://theprint.in/feature/around-town/eight-step-wells-2-cities-10-years-how-collaboration-revived-crumbling-mughal-baolis/1692848/  (31 July 2023)

URBAN WATER

Bengaluru BWSSB has brought down unaccounted for Water to 28%R now from 36.95% in June 2021 and 30.05% in June 2022. BWSSB now plans to change some of the bulk water meters to high tech ones. It would need Rs 2000 Cr if all Bulk water meters were to be replaced, but due to insufficient funds, it will go for partial replacement. https://www.deccanherald.com/city/top-bengaluru-stories/bwssb-saves-5000-mn-litres-monthly-with-tech-upgrades-1242342.html  (31 July 2023)

Gurugram Form panel to probe groundwater use at construction sites: NGT  The NGT on Friday (July 28) directed the government to form a committee to inspect the use of groundwater allegedly extracted from borewells at some construction sites that include those in new sectors in the city. The order came on a petition filed by NGO Paryavaran Vikas Sangh that alleged millions of gallons of groundwater was being sucked out at four construction sites in Sector 108, 103 and 37D. The plea, filed by the NGO representative Parmanand Rana in January, also said that extracted groundwater — once used — was being flushed out without any treatment in violation of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/form-panel-to-probe-groundwater-use-at-construction-sites-ngt-orders-hry/articleshow/102221234.cms  (29 July 2023)

WATER POLLUTION

Report Activists slam misleading data on manual scavenging It is to be noted that though the act of cleaning sewers and septic tanks technically falls under the category of manual scavenging, it is not taken into account due to the narrow definition provided in The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013. According to the Section 2(g) of the Act, a “manual scavenger” is defined as a person who manually cleans, carries, disposes of, or handles human excreta in any manner in an insanitary latrine or in an open drain or a pit into which the human excreta from the insanitary latrines is disposed of, or on a railway track or other such spaces or premises. This does not include a sewer or a septic tank.

-The Act separately defines “hazardous cleaning” of a sewer or septic tank as “manual cleaning” by a worker without the employer providing them with protective gear, other cleaning devices, and without following safety precautions. So as per the Minister’s reply at the Lok Sabha, there have only been nine deaths this year of “cleaning workers” due to “hazardous cleaning of sewer/septic tanks.”

-According to activist and SKA national convener Bezwada Wilson, this data is a gross underestimation of the number of manual scavenging deaths in India. Speaking to TNM, he says that there have been at least 57 such deaths across India this year as per the records of SKA. According to the data provided by SKA, the highest number of manual scavenging deaths has been recorded in Maharashtra (10). In the south, Tamil Nadu recorded six deaths, Karnataka two, and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana one each, while no deaths were reported in Kerala. https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/union-govt-says-no-manual-scavenging-deaths-2023-activists-slam-misleading-data-180292  (28 July 2023)

Tamil Nadu witnessed 43 deaths due to manual scavenging in the last one and a half years, and most of the victims are Dalits. But only 25 of them are reported and 20 people were arrested in 12 cases, said VA Ramesh Nathan, director of Social Awareness Society For Youths (SASY) citing the results of a study they conducted. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/jul/29/43-manhole-deaths-only-25-reported-in-tamil-nadu-sasy-study-2599654.html  (29 July 2023)

-While answering a question pertaining to the availability of data on manual scavenging in the country, the Union government stated there is no report on the practice of manual scavenging in any district. It also mentioned that 530 districts have eradicated the practice of manual scavenging. However, Bezwada Wilson, an activist who works for the interests of manual scavengers, termed these claims as ‘false’. https://www.gaonconnection.com/lead-stories/manual-scavenging-scavengers-deaths-bezwada-wilson-monsoon-session-swacch-bharat-abhiyan-52414  (27 July 2023)

Delegates to the Akhila Bharat Dalit Sahitya Sammelan passed a resolution demanding a complete ban on manual scavenging across the country. The resolution demanded that the Union and State governments make it mandatory for all government and private agencies and individuals not to hire any human being for scavenging work but to use machines instead. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/dalit-writers-demand-an-end-to-manual-scavenging/article67139396.ece  (30 July 2023)

Uttar Pradesh दूषित पानी पीने को मजबूर ग्रामीण उन्नाव जिले के सिकंदरपुर कर्ण ब्लॉक में सरकार ने आठ साल पहले पानी साफ करने के लिए आरओ प्लांट लगाया था। रखरखाव के अभाव में प्लांट बंद पड़े हैं। पानी साफ करने का कोई दूसरा विकल्प न होने की वजह से इलाके के लोग दूषित पानी पीने को मजबूर हैं। कई ग्रामीण पेट संबंधी बीमारियां होने की शिकायत करते हैं। जिम्मेदार अधिकारियों के मुताबिक आरओ प्लांट के संचालन या मेंटेनेंस के लिए अलग से कोई फंड या योजना नहीं है जिससे इसका मेंटेनेंस कराया जा सके। https://hindi.mongabay.com/2023/07/24/uttar-pradesh-ro-plants-shut-down-due-to-lack-of-maintenance-villagers-forced-to-drink-contaminated-water/  (24 July 2023)

WATER

Report Nudging farmers to conserve water In a randomized field experiment, researchers test whether training medium scale farmers in an agricultural water reduction practice reduces water use from common aquifers in Haryana, India. The paper ‘What works for water conservation?’ published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management finds that training farmers in a water reduction technique, Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), reduced pumping hours by 22% during peak pumping weeks without affecting their yields. The study also incorporates the use of social comparison messages. The paper argues that farmers will adopt AWD despite flat fee tariffs if farmers own their pumps and if their crops can reach their varietal potential. This is because there are diminishing returns to irrigation and irrigation costs rise as water levels drop. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/nudging-farmers-conserve-water  (25 July 2023)

AGRICULTURE

Report Extreme Weather Dents India’s Food Supplies Last year it was wheat, then sugar. This year, it is tomatoes. As weather patterns grow erratic — rainfalls too heavy and often out of sync with farming calendars, and heat cycles beginning earlier and breaking records — food shortages are one of the many ways India is reeling from climate change.

– The previous tomato harvest was such a bumper crop that many farmers had no takers. Tomatoes rotted in fields, as the cheap prices in the market did not even justify shipping costs. That discouraged some farmers from growing tomatoes for the current harvest. What would have been a smaller harvest was then made worse by extreme heat in March and April, followed by flooding in recent weeks that not only destroyed fields but also wiped away bridges and blocked roads in parts of north India. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/world/asia/india-tomatoes-shortages-climate-change.html  (21 July 2023)

MONSOON 2023

IMD’s State, Sub-Division, District and River Basin wise cumulative rainfall (01 June to 30 July 2023) maps.

IMD High Rainfall districts on July 30, 2023:50-100 mm: Kochbihar, Uttar Dinajpur (WB), Jharsuguda, Sambalpur (Odisha), Chatra, Latehar (Jharkhand), Sikar (E Raj) [7]

High Rainfall districts on July 29, 2023: 50-100 mm: East Kameng, Lower Dibang Valley, Papum Pare (Arunachal Pradesh), Dhemaji, Lakhimpur (Assam), Bauda (Odisha), Gorakhpur, Sultanpur (E UP), Muzafarnagar (W UP), Nuh (Haryana), N Delhi, NW Delhi, W Delhi (Delhi), Alirajpur (W MP), Chhota Udepur (Guj), Palghar, Raigarh, Thane (Mah), Raipur (CG) [19]

200-250 mm: E Siang (Arunachal Pradesh) [1]

High Rainfall districts on July 28, 2023: 50-100 mm: East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Papum Pare, West Siang (Arunachal Pradesh), Dhemaji, Lakhimpur (Assam), E Khasi Hills, SW Khasi Hills (Meghalaya), Jalpaiguri (WB), Surat, Tapi (Guj), Daman (UT), Ratnagiri (Konkan), Nasik, Hingoli (Mah), Narayanpur (CG), Adilabad, Jagtial, Kamareddy, Rajanna Sircilla (Tel) [20]

100-150 mm: Dangs, Navsari, Valsad (Guj), Mumbai City, Raigarh, Suburban Mumbai (Konkan), Nanded (Mah), Nirmal, Nizamabad (Tel) [9]

150-200 mm: Dadar & Nagarhaveli (UT), Palghar, Thane (Konkan) [3]

High Rainfall districts on July 27, 2023 50-100 mm: Dhemaji (Assam), E Khasi Hills (Meghalaya), Faridabad (Haryana), Kathua (J&K), Bikaner (W Raj), Valsad (Guj), N Goa, S Goa (Goa), Palghar, Sindhudurg, Thane (Konkan), Chandrapur, Nagpur, Wardha (Mah), Vishakhapatnam (AP), Jagulamba Gadwal, Khammam, Kumaram Bheem, M Malkangiri, Mancherial, Nizamabad, Siddpet, Suryapeth, Wanaparthy, Y Bhuvangiri (Tel), Dakshin Kannada, Udupi, U Kannada (Karnataka) [29]

100-150 mm: SW Khasi Hills (Meghalaya), Dadar & Nagarhaveli (UT), Ratnagiri, Suburban Mumbai (Konkan), Bijapur (CG), B Kothagudem, Jagtial, Jangaon, Nirmal, Peddpalle, Ranjanna Sircila (Tel) [11]

150-200 mm: Raigarh (Konkan), Adilabad, Karimnagar, Mahabubabad (Tel) [4]

200-250 mm: Mumbai City (Konkan), Mulugu, Warangal (Tel) [3]

300+ mm: Hanumakonda, J Bhupalpally (Tel) [2]

High Rainfall districts on July 26, 2023: 50-100 mm: Upper Subansiri (Arunachal Pradesh), Meerut (W UP), Bageshwar, Dehradun (UKD), Karnal, Kurukshetra, Panipat, Rohtak, Sonipat, Yamunanagar (Haryana), E Delhi (Delhi), SAS Nagar (Punjab), Sirmaur (HP), Valsad (Guj), Dadar & Nagarhaveli, Daman (UTs), N Goa, S Goa (Goa), Palghar, Sindhudurg, Suburban Mumbai, Thane (Konkan), Kolhapur (Mah), Sukma (CG), Anakapalli, Eluru, Krishna, NTR dist, Vishakhapatnam (AP), Khammam, Mulugu (Tel), Dakshin Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga (Karnataka), Kannur, Kasargod (Kerala) [37]

100-150 mm: North and Middle Andaman (UT), Raigarh, Ratnagiri (Konkan) [3]

High Rainfall districts on July 25, 2023 50-100 mm: Papum Pare (Arunachal Pradesh), Mamit (Mizoram), Badaun (W UP), Dadar & N Haveli, Daman, Diu (UTs), N Goa, S Goa (Goa), Raigad, Ratnagiri, Suburban Mumbai, Thane (Konkan), Hyderabad, J Bhupalpally, Jangaon, Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahbubabad, Nizamabad, Peddapalle, Rajanna Sircilla (Tel), Mahe (Puducherry), Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Chikmagalur, Kodagu, Shimoga (Karnataka), Kannur, Kasargod (Kerala) [29]

100-150 mm: Hanumakonda, Warangal (Tel), Dakshina Kannada (Karnataka) [3]

Source: IMD’s daily district wise rainfall page. https://mausam.imd.gov.in/imd_latest/contents/rainfall_statistics_3.php 

After recording 31.47 cm of rainfall during the past 30 days, July this year may see the highest rainfall since 1994, when the country received 35.24 cm of rainfall in the second month of the monsoon season. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/july-2023-india-may-witness-highest-rainfall-in-decades-boosting-kharif-crop-prospects/article67138669.ece  (30 July 2023)

Telangana Laxmidevipetta records 649.8 mm rain in 24 hours Laxmidevipetta in Mulugu district recorded a whopping 649.8 mm of rainfall for 24 hrs ending at 8.30 am Thursday (July 27 2023), the highest ever 24-hour rainfall recorded in the state since 2004. Chityal in the neighbouring Jayashankar Bhupalpally district also recorded 616.5 mm of rainfall during the same period. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/telangana-rain-laxmidevipetta-mulugu-district-8862864/  (27 July 2023)

IMD to join hands with startups for indigenous weather forecasting equipment –Explaining why the IMD is looking at startups when there are companies already in the play, a senior scientist told News9 Plus, “As we face changing climate, there is a need to expand our network far and wide. If we have more private companies in the field providing more competition, we will gain both on quality and cost.”

-“Moreover, the IMD provides forecast for the whole of South Asia. So these private players will automatically get opportunities to manufacture for other countries in South Asia and, later, can compete in global tenders. So, it is a win-win situation,” he said. https://www.news9live.com/india/imd-to-join-hands-with-startups-for-indigenous-weather-forecasting-equipment-2228638  (27 July 2023)

IMD is tapping people for localised information on rain activity -The crowdsource information page on the IMD website for the general public to report severe weather was launched over a year ago. “However, since most people are unaware about this feature, we are sharing it on social media platforms like WhatsApp to make it popular,” said IMD scientist Kuldeep Srivastava. He added that people could report such events at https://city.imd.gov.in/citywx/crowd/enter_th_datag.php.

-On the page, people can share inputs on rain, drizzle, thunder/lightning, hailstorm, dust storm, fog, snow and gusty winds along with pictures in their city. They can also report damages like breaking of tree branches, uprooting of a tree, pole bending, damage or death caused to livestock, humans and vegetation or crops, and have to mention the date, time and the location of the event.

-Met officials, however, added that inputs would be verified from the information received. “Though we haven’t received a good response from people in Delhi, we expect that they would take interest in sharing the information,” said an official.  https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/how-imd-is-tapping-people-for-localised-information-on-rain-activity/articleshow/99223365.cms  (04 April 2023)

FLOOD 2023

Telangana Kaddam project  gets higher flood than discharge Against the designed discharge capacity of 3.82 lakh cusecs through 18 spillway gates, the flood waters being let out was only around 2.42 lakh cusecs through 14 gates as the project engineers made a vain bid to operate/lift the remaining 4 gates. According to the irrigation authorities gate numbers 2, 4, 6 and 12 were struck and there was no chance of operating them now.

However, according to officials the flood reaching the project is estimated at 3.86 lakh cusecs although unofficial reports put it at much higher. With the impact of higher flood reaching the dam, beyond its discharge capacity, the flood water is flowing over the 4 crest gates that were not operational.

According to the irrigation authorities, it was on July 13 last year, the project received a flood of 5.19 lakh cusecs and they were able to discharge over 3 lakh cusecs as one of the 18 crest gates was not operated due to mechanical snag. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/telangana/scare-at-kaddam-project-as-it-gets-higher-flood-than-discharge/article67126342.ece  (27 July 2023)

Kadem dam almost breaches as 4 sluice gates malfunction In the early hours of Thursday, July 27, the Telangana Irrigation Department faced a crisis as the Kadem reservoir in Nirmal district came close to breaching its dam due to heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours. The situation was brought under control as the rains subsided later in the afternoon, and repairs are underway to fix the faulty motors that caused the issue. Four out of 18 gates of the dam were affected, resulting in water rising to 700 feet in height, just below the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of 700 feet.   https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kadem-dam-almost-breaches-telangana-4-sluice-gates-malfunction-180281  (27 July 2023)

15-ft high flood water sinks village With 15-foot-high floodwater encircling this nondescript village on July 26 night, residents of marooned Moranchapalli in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district were on the edge. With a local stream, Moranchapalli Vagu, advancing menacingly towards the village and very heavy rains pounding the area for over 24 hours, the entire populace of 1,900, with a prayer on their lips, waited with bated breath for rescuers. Two IAF helicopters, NDRF and fire services personnel swung into action following the villagers’ cries for help and shifted them to safer places. However, two villagers – Chintala Buchchi Reddy, 60, and Chintala Jyothi, 39 – are feared to have been washed away in the swirling waters of the stream. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/miracle-rescue-of-1900-as-15-ft-high-flood-water-sinks-t-village/articleshow/102185088.cms  (28 July 2023)

4k tanks overflow, flood woes escalate Confirming the severity of the flood fury, nearly 4,000 tanks were overflowing in Telangana. Another 2,000 tanks were filled between 75% and 100% of their full tank level. There are total of 43000 tanks in the state, 20000 in Godavari basin and 23000 in Krishna basin. About 100 tanks have breached following heavy inflows. “There were problems in lifting two gates in Kadem project and officials will repair them. While the Kadem project full reservoir level is 700 ft, the project is overflowing at 702 ft. People living in the low-lying areas have been relocated.” Irrigation Sp Chief Secretary Rajat Kumar said on July 27, 2023. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/4k-tanks-overflow-flood-woes-escalate/articleshow/102186358.cms  (28 July 2023)

Rains claim six lives in 24 hours; scores rescued Six persons lost their lives in heavy rains in the last 24 hours in the state taking the death toll to nine in rain-related incidents, while a pregnant woman in Sircilla and 19 workers were rescued from swirling waters in Peddapally district. In Peddapally, 19 workers were rescued from a sand quarry. They were stuck in the quarry in Maneru Vagu in Gopalpur in Manthani mandal. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/rains-claim-six-lives-in-state-toll-9-scores-rescued/articleshow/102185178.cms  (28 July 2023)

15 persons stranded in Manair floods 15 drivers and other workers working in sand quarries were stranded in the Manair river near Gopalpur of Manthani mandal on Thursday (July 27). One person, Madhu, who was washed away in the flood water, managed to swim to safety and reached ashore at the Odaram village.

-The others took shelter on an excavator and informed the matter to the district administration over phone, following which district collector Muzammil Khan along with Zilla Parishad Chairperson Putta Madhukar rushed to the bank of Manair river and started the rescue operation by deploying two speed boats. One excavator was washed away in the flood. https://telanganatoday.com/15-persons-stranded-in-manair-river-near-manthani-rescue-operations-on  (27 July 2023)

Polavaram Project Heavy floods stall works Attempts by the water resources department to continue the works of Polavaram project’s diaphragm wall even during the Godavari floods proved futile. The works come to a halt with seepage of water and the river witnessing huge inflows from the upstream catchment areas of Polavaram in Eluru district.

– The Polavaram project authorities planned to avoid any disruption to the ongoing works at the D-wall so as to expedite the completion of the project and set up the dewatering equipment with high capacity motors and even raised the upper cofferdam height to 44 from 42.5 metres to avoid floodwater’s entry to the work area in case of heavy floods in Godavari. However, as the river started receiving huge inflows, seepage of water started from the cofferdams. “This stalled the works,” officials said. The authorities planned to take up vibro compaction on the filled-up soil in the damaged portions of the D-wall to solidify it and make it firm. They realised that there was no chance of dewatering the work area, given the intensity of the floods.

– Unless the issue of D-wall is addressed by either taking up parallel walls in the four damaged portions of the existing D-wall or by taking up a fresh D-wall for the whole length parallel to the existing D-wall, they cannot go ahead with works on the earth-cum-rock-fill dam, as it has to be a construction on the D-wall. https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/270723/heavy-floods-in-godavari-stall-polavaram-works.html  (27 July 2023)

Telangana State Engineer-in-Chief (General) C Muralidhar wrote to the CEO of the Polavarm project as well as the CWC insisting on the need to keep all the 48 gates of the project and sluices open all through the water year. https://telanganatoday.com/telangana-alerts-cwc-on-polavaram-backwater-effect  (25 July 2023)

Maharashtra Dam floods? Due to water released from the Irai Dam in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district on Saturday (July 29 2023), the residential area of Pathanpura was inundated. https://news24online.com/cities/mumbai/maharashtra-rain-water-release-from-erai-dam-inundates-residential-area/154567/  (30 July 2023)

Himachal Pradesh Unpreparedness exposed Manshi Asher: – As per the State Disaster Management Authority, between 2017 and 2022, the state faced disaster-related monetary losses worth Rs 8,000 crore. In 2023, Himachal has already seen an equivalent loss and there have been over 100 deaths so far. And we are barely half-way through the monsoon. A season, considered life-giving and vital for the socio-ecological wellbeing and economic security of not just mountains but this entire tropical country, has become synonymous with disasters. Surprisingly, Himachal’s data of the past six years shows that five of these were rain-deficit monsoons. The irony is that the more these disasters are sensationalised, the more they become normalised. Visuals of floating cars, sinking buildings and washed-out roads may remain in the memory of those far away from the crisis. Those who are in the middle of it and are hurt the most in the aftermath, tend to be forgotten. Those who lose their life’s earnings are often isolated as they grapple with the political questions of ‘why this is happening’ and ‘who is accountable’.

Speaking about two projects, 100-MW Sainj and 520-MW Parbati III, being responsible for the delay in opening the dam gates, Tara Devi said, “We had cooperated with them (NHPC and HPPCL) by consenting to the projects. The least they could do is give us a warning. We have lost everything. We’ve been betrayed many times. We want land in exchange of land.” https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/from-disaster-to-disaster-himachals-unpreparedness-exposed-530261  (30 July 2023)

Floods: A man-made disaster? Why is climate change alone not to blame for unprecedented rain and floods in the State? What are the anthropogenic reasons? Should the development model be relooked? How have changes in the way dams are being built, shift in crop patterns, rush of tourism added to the problem? A Commission of Inquiry must be instituted to bring the major stakeholders — the people — on board and discuss both the policy framework failures, as well as the peculiar aspects of the projects undertaken. (Tikender Singh Panwar) https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/explained-himachal-floods-a-man-made-disaster/article67121119.ece  (25 July 2023)

Ravi Chopra:- The disaster holds lessons on how to better manage projects and give people a voice in decisions around them. https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/havoc-in-the-hills-has-key-lessons-for-india-101690292445993.html  (25 July 2023)

Edit: -Not opting for change is an invitation to disaster https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/editorials/wake-up-himachal-528969  (26 July 2023)

Nature reclaims her own Avay Shukla, retired additional chief secretary with the Himachal Pradesh government: – Let us be clear about one thing: this month’s devastation is not due to climate change or extreme weather events- these have certainly amplified the problem but have not created them. They have been created by wrong policies, bad engineering, lax enforcement and criminal disregard of scientific principles and expert advice. https://www.outlookindia.com/national/himachal-floods-nature-reclaims-her-own-news-304216  (23 July 2023)

Concerns over tree logs flooding rivers Currently, a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed to open the floodgates to prevent the dam collapsing and inundating the nearby areas. According to the dam authorities, the gantry crane, which is used to open and close the gates, has developed snags. Engineers say the dam gates have been closed due to silt, muck and boulders. Efforts are being made to reduce the water level by breaking the corners of the dam. Visuals from the dam show a huge accumulation of logs along the Malana-2 Dam in Himachal Pradesh. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/tree-logs-in-himachals-flooded-rivers-raise-concern/articleshow/102244107.cms  (30 July 2023)

As many as 1,107 logs of various wood species have been deposited in Pong Dam in recent flashfloods in various rivers and tributaries of Beas river till now and more are expected in the coming days. This was stated by Reginald Royston, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Wildlife, Hamirpur. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/1-107-logs-fished-out-from-pong-dam-reservoir-529089  (26 July 2023)

On Thunag Flash Flood Disaster: -A case in point here is of the now viral video of Thunag in Seraj area of Mandi in Himachal Pradesh where a huge number of logs are seen flowing with the waters coming down as slush after a cloudburst. Pointing a finger at the ‘illegal and clandestine’ felling of trees there is a demand being raised for a thorough probe and action in the matter.

-One can see in the video that the logs are systematically chopped, something that obviously nature can’t do. It is being alleged that the trees were illegally felled in the past and the logs had been buried under the soil to be used later. But the fury of the flash floods exposed it all.

-News reports have quoted forest department officials saying that the matter is being investigated but the people want something at a much higher level pointing out that this area is the constituency of former chief minister Jairam Thakur and if such activities can take place here one can imagine the scenario elsewhere.

-Pointing out at the illegal dumping of muck by the companies executing road construction projects, Mandi based Dharam Prakash Gupta who has been chronicling the developments in the region for several decades said, “These companies have so much clout and power that a district level official can never even think of taking action against them. Things are just expected to get back to routine after a while.” https://www.thecitizen.in/india/disaster-in-the-hills-heads-must-roll-948993  (20 July 2023)

Besides heavy rain, illegal mining impacted river course Illegal mining is rampant in the riverbeds of the Sutlej, Yamuna, Beas, Ravi, Chakki and Swan. From dusk to dawn, dozens of tippers and tractor-trolleys laden with sand and gravel head out, while earthmovers wreak havoc, plundering the riverbed even as mechanized mining is banned. Due to heavy rainfall in the state on July 9 and 10, almost all rivers and their tributaries were in spate and at many places they changed their course, wreaking havoc on the embankments. The destruction along the banks of the Beas was widespread, causing heavy losses to life and property in Kullu and Mandi districts. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/illegal-sand-mining-and-heavy-rain-caused-devastating-floods-in-himachal-pradesh-101689940600585.html  (21 July 2023)

मानसूनी बारिश में अब तक 164 लोगों की मौत प्रदेश में मानसून में अब तक 164 लोगों की मौत हुई है. भारी बारिश के बाद हुए भूस्खलन व फ्लड आदि से 6160 परिवारों के आशियाने भी क्षतिग्रस्त हुए, जिनमें 669 घर पूरी तरह क्षतिग्रस्त हुए हैं. जबकि 5491 घरों को भी आंशिक नुकसान पहुंचा है. इसके अलावा 236 दुकानें भी क्षतिग्रस्त हुई. प्रदेश के विभिन्न हिस्सों में 1669 गौशालाएं भी ढह गई.

-सड़कों, पानी की परियोजनाओं, निजी संपत्तियों को करीब ₹5269 करोड़ की क्षति पहुंची है. इसमें लोक निर्माण विभाग को ₹1666.58 करोड़ की क्षति हुई है. सैकड़ों सड़कों के साथ करीब चार दर्जन पुल भी बारिश में क्षतिग्रस्त हुए हैं. करीब 696 सड़कें भी बंद पडी हैं,

-जल शक्ति विभाग की करीब 8388 योजनाओं को बरसात ने नुकसान पहुंचाया है. इन परियोजनाओं में 6624 पेयजल की हैं, जिनमेंसे 6275 अस्थाई तौर पर बहाल की गई हैं. इसके अलावा सिंचाई की 1516, फ्लड कंट्रोल की 181 व सीवरेज की 67 परियोजनाएं भी क्षतिग्रस्त हुई हैं. जलशक्ति विभाग को करीब ₹1542 करोड़ की क्षति अबकी बार बारिश ने पहुंचाई है. बिजली बोर्ड को भी करीब 1482 करोड़ के अलावा नगर निकायों में भी संपत्तियों को करीब 6.47 करोड़ का नुकसान भी हुआ है. कृषि फसलों को करीब 167 करोड़ और फलों को भी करीब 144 करोड़ का नुकसान हुआ है. https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/himachal-pradesh/state/shimla/crores-loss-due-to-heavy-rains-in-himachal-monsoon-weather-update/hp20230725063541148148022  (25 July 2023)

-जुलाई में अब तक हुई मानसून की बारिश ने हिमाचल में पिछले 10 साल का रिकॉर्ड तोड़ा है। 1 जुलाई से 24 जुलाई तक हिमाचल में 255.9 मिलीमीटर बारिश होनी चाहिए थी जो वास्तव में 390.3 मिलीमीटर रिकॉर्ड की गई है जो सामान्य से 102% ज्यादा है। वर्ष 2021 से पहले की रिपोर्ट को देखें तो जुलाई के महीने में लगातार सामान्य से कम बारिश होती रही है। 2021 के बाद हिमाचल में जुलाई के महीने में सामान्य से ज्यादा बारिश रिकॉर्ड की गई है पर इस बार बारिश ने अपने कई रिकॉर्ड को तोड़ा है। https://www.bhaskar.com/local/chandigarh/news/record-rain-of-10-years-in-himachal-in-july-cloud-burst-27-times-in-24-days-56-landslides-134-deaths-131589776.html  (25 July 2023)

सरकार के अनुसार आपदा, भारी बारिश से नुकसान का आंकड़ा 5657 करोड़ रुपये से अधिक क पहुंच गया है।  इस बार मानसून में 24 जून से 30 जुलाई तक प्रदेश में 189 लोगों की जान गई है। 218 लोग जख्मी हुए हैं। 704 मकान ढह गए, जबकि 7179  मकान क्षतिग्रस्त हुए हैं। इस दौरान भूस्खलन की 73 और अचानक बाढ़ की 53 घटनाएं सामने आई हैं। https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/himachal-weather-many-roads-and-water-supply-schemes-stalled-heavy-rainfall-alert-for-two-days-2023-07-30  (30 July 2023)

BBMB Pong and Bhakra dams to release 98,000 cusecs water daily After several areas experienced rain in Himachal on Wednesday, BBMB called an emergency meeting to handle the situation if the dams get more water. Sources said that while the water level in Bhakra damn was 25 feet less than its capacity at 1655 feet. The capacity of Bhakra dam is 1680 ft. In the Pong dam, the water is flowing at 1375 feet, which is 16 feet less than its capacity.

– In the meeting attended by officials from Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, it was decided that while 98,000 cusecs of water would be released from Bhakra and Pong dams, additional 23,000 cusecs would be released to Rajasthan and Haryana and 20 000 cusecs into Punjab Canals. While Raj and Haryana had earlier refused to take flood water from Punjab, they have agreed now as the damns needed to be emptied lest it becomes an emergent situation.

– The Ranjit Sagar Dam, he said, was not a cause of concern for the state as it had input of 20,000 cusec everyday while, the output was at 25,000 cusecs. This much of water flowed through Ravi river without causing any destruction. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/reservoirs-near-capacity-pong-bhakra-dams-98000-cusecs-water-8862417/  (27 July 2023)

Jammu & Kashmir Lack of sustained mitigation measures make J&K vulnerable to floods In 1903, British engineers provided the solution by raising river embankment and dredging the river from Sopore to Baramulla as a contingency maintenance measure to upset the effect of siltation due to erosion of topsoil from contributing catchment of Jhelum.

-Ajaz, who is also a hydraulic engineer, said due to forest leases and deforestation without balancing required afforestation, this erosion increased. In 1960, two mechanical dredges named Soya-1 and Budshah-were were commissioned after being inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to dredge steep river reach from Sopore to Baramulla.

-This dredging continued till 1986 when the dredgers completed their designed lifetime. “Thereafter no dredging was done for 26 years resulting in siltation of river regime as also of Wullar lake fed by Jhelum which resulted in the lake losing 30 percent of its volumetric. The Wullar wetland lost its basic wetland function of absorbing flood water during high flows and releasing it in low flow time to act as a sponge,” he said.

-The Irrigation and Flood Control Department procured and commissioned two modern cut suction dredgers in 2012 to resume the contingent maintenance dredging from Sopore to Baramulla. This was a profitable project earning revenue from sale of dredged sand to the extent more than that to pay for the cost of machines and their operation.

-“In 2014 the effect of Highest recorded flood was minimal in Sopore and Baramulla as a result of this. Further on the I&FC contracted for dredging in Srinagar reach of the River which proved futile and counter productive making the Government of India to issue advisory to stop it,” Ajaz said.

-IF&C department has been working on Phase 1 of flood recovery project to repair breached sites of the river in 2014 floods and raise abutment and anti erosion works at vulnerable reaches. Now it is  further working on Phase 2 to do works of permanent restoration of flood damages. “However the ultimate Project for futuristic management of floods in the valley in River Jhelum and its tributaries is being formulated by a Spanish company which would holistically address the measures to be taken in catchment and entire River regime. Once this is approved and funds made available to implement it on ground we can then only look forward to proper required flood control measures to be on ground. However, that seems to be a long wait,” Ajaz added. https://www.greaterkashmir.com/todays-paper/front-page/lack-of-sustained-mitigation-measures-make-jk-vulnerable-to-floods  (28 July 2023)

Haryana When Tangri changed its course It is not the extent of flood which shocked the farmer on July 10 as much as the changed course of Tangri river. “The land here used to be very fertile. Paddy and corn used to flourish here… I just cannot believe that the river would split and flow through these lands. It split here near our village and joined back its usual course after two kilometres. Whatever came in its way just got swept away, at least 200 acres of fertile land has been ruined by the river’s flow,” Gurvinder Singh, a farmer who had planted paddy on six acres of land, told Gaon Connection. https://www.gaonconnection.com/lead-stories/haryana-floods-ambala-tingri-river-paddy-farmers-crop-damage-fertile-soil-sand-tubewell-compensation-52404  (25 July 2023)

Saraswati’s channels can help drain flood waters CERSR director Prof AR Chaudhri said if the ancient channel ways were left as they were, flooding in majority of the houses and damage to crops could have been minimised. He added that the old channels of Saraswati river form a dense network measuring more than 3,000 km in nearly all Haryana districts and could be used as a fast sink for flood waters in future. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/cersr-reveals-old-channels-of-saraswati-river-could-be-used-as-fast-sink-for-flood-waters-in-haryana-101690399767003.html  (27 July 2023)

Punjab Ghaggar committee yet to come up with strategy Standing Committee formed in Feb 1990 still exists, but has not been able to provide the flood master plan over 33 years later. It is chaired by the River Management Wing of CWC and includes members from Indus Commission (MWR), Director and Chief Engr of CWC, members from Railways, Haryana and Rajasthan among others. No meeting has been held since Nov 2021, or for about 20 months. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/33-years-on-committee-yet-to-come-up-with-strategy-to-tame-ghaggar-529549 (28 July 2023)

The swollen Ghaggar has left the fields unfit for sowing crops due to sand deposits in Patiala district. Thousands of acres in the villages along the Ghaggar, Tangri and Badi Nadi have up to 3-ft sand deposits, which makes it impossible to grow crops. Agriculture experts said consumption of fertilisers and pesticides would increase due to the sand deposits. “Irrigating fields will be a major challenge as flooding has damaged tubewells. Marginal farmers can’t buy expensive equipment at this point of time,” they said. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/monsoon-fury-3-foot-sand-in-fields-race-against-time-for-farmers-to-resow-paddy-528942  (26 July 2023)

Youth power on as they plug breaches The youths in Punjab, who are often stereotyped for their craze for drugs or modified tractors and face criticism for migrating to the west, displayed remarkable spirit and rose to the challenges posed by floods in the state even when the authorities failed to provide timely help. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-youth-ride-tractor-rescue-flood-8865977/  (29 July 2023)

Lapse in advanced preparedness before floods There was lapse in preparedness for floods, but not in steps taken to manage the disaster, governor Banwari Lal Purohit said on Thursday (July 27) after visiting flood-hit areas in Jalandhar. The Punjab governor added that he also discussed long term measures with the state officials who accompanied him and that these included desilting of rivers. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/purohit-lapse-in-advanced-preparedness-before-floods/articleshow/102187173.cms  (28 July 2023)

YAMUNA Delhi We need to build a relationship with the Yamuna Neha Sinha: –Nature-led restoration with minimal construction does not need large investments; it does, however, need time, scientific input and political will. Let the active floodplain of the Yamuna in the great city of Delhi be a restored nature park with walking trails, nature guides and lookout spots. No more depots, buildings and flats. Let a deconstruction approach that privileges plants, not plaster, be adopted. https://lifestyle.livemint.com/news/talking-point/yamuna-monsoon-floods-delhi-biodiversity-111690472817771.html  (29 July 2023)

Development Gone ‘Rogue’ and the High Flood Prof. Arun Kumar: -The unbridled growth of consumerism is at the root of the problem of flooding. First, globally it causes climate change and extreme weather phenomena. Second, it is destabilising the Himalayas leading to more silt in the rivers that raises the river bed and reduces its carrying capacity. Third, discharging effluents in the river. Fourth, attempt to utilise the entire flow of the river water leaving little flow during the dry season. Finally, in the name of ‘development’, construction on any vacant land, like the flood plains. https://thewire.in/environment/development-rogue-flood-delhi  (20 July 2023)

-यदि बाढ़ से कोई जबरदस्त सबक है तो वह यह है: जल चक्र बदल रहा है और शासन प्रणालियों को तत्काल अनुकूलित करना होगा। जिम्मेदारियों की स्पष्ट रेखाएं खींचनी होंगी। या फिर नीति-निर्माता वही करते रह सकते हैं, जो वे अभी कर रहे हैं: एक-दूसरे पर चिल्लाएं, भले ही गरीब डूब जाएं। https://www.thethirdpole.net/hi/465/118977/  (17 July 2023)

3 ITO Barrage gates mired in silt Many contradiction in statements made by officials, sources quoted regarding reason behind jamming of 5 gates of ITO barrage, maintenance issue and its contribution in July 2023 floods. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/ito-barrage-woes-3-gates-mired-in-silt-work-underway-with-navy-diving-team-on-standby-after-recent-floods-in-capital-8864259/  (28 July 2023)

The anatomy of the floodplains -The South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) in 2020 found large parts of the Yamuna floodplains and riverbed were “grossly abused” due to lax implementation: 23 bridges including rail, road, metro and barrages have been built; there was a bridge at every 800m. “The creation of new embankments, guide bunds… are fragmenting the floodplain, promoting encroachments, and also leaving a trail of construction and demolition debris into riverbed and floodplains,” the group wrote.

-An Expert Committee in 2012 formed to examine DDA’s Riverfront Development Scheme warned against any construction on floodplains. The areas proposed under the Yamuna Riverfront Development (YRDF) plan — which proposes biodiversity parks and ‘recreational’ activities — were within the active floodplain, which could affect the topography, increase pollution and affect flood-carrying capacity, the Committee warned. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/explained-the-anatomy-of-the-yamuna-floodplains/article67082978.ece  (25 July 2023)

Haryana Fresh erosion along Yamuna banks giving sleepless nights to villagers Fresh erosion along the banks of the Yamuna near Lalupura village is giving sleepless nights to residents living along the village. It is the second instance of erosion in the village in the past one week. As per officials of the Irrigation Department, the erosion was noticed in the morning. Earlier, it was noticed in a small area, but later it kept increasing and became 100 feet wide, prompting the authorities to press extra manpower to stop it.

-The Yamuna wreaks havoc in around 45 villages situated along its banks when a high volume of water is discharged in it from the Hathnikund barrage, said an official of the department. He said this year the overflowing Yamuna flooded thousands of acres of agricultural land and residential areas of various villages resulting in great loss to people. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/fresh-erosion-along-yamuna-banks-giving-sleepless-nights-to-villagers-528720  (23 July 2023)

Yamuna bank erosion at 2 places creates panic Although floodwater has started receding in the Yamuna, erosion along the banks of the river at two places — Khirajpur and Lalupura — created panic among residents living along these points. The district administration has pressed the machinery of the Irrigation Department to strengthen the banks, said an official. As floodwater created havoc in the villages along the Yamuna, Kalyan, along with residents of various villages, performed havan near a bundh at Lalupur, praying for the Yamuna river to ‘calm down’. “It is an old ritual of the villagers to calm down the river. We performed and prayed to the Yamuna to calm down,” said Kalyan. The bundhs at Garhpur Tapu and Musepur villages, which were breached earlier last week, and now plugged, were being strengthened. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/yamuna-bank-erosion-at-2-places-creates-panic-526539  (17 July 2023)

Hindon; Ghaziabad Hin-done deals: How a river was sold -Along the Hindon’s 103km course in the NCR districts of Ghaziabad and Noida, the river’s perennially dry floodplains have been carved up and sold in most of the 55 villages that it threads through. Some don’t have a demarcated embankment. In those that do, like Sorkha, Kulesra and Chotpur, for example, there’s dense overgrowth of concrete beyond the embankment. The owners of many of these houses have also managed to register them with the government.

-In 18 villages most affected by the flooding of the Hindon – 12 in Noida and six in Ghaziabad – this is a story that repeats itself. People bagging cheap plots from agents realising their mistake, and the unpredictability of a rain-fed river as extreme weather events become more frequent because of climate change dawning on them. The flooding of the Hindon this week displaced at least 12,000 people. Many of them continue to live in relief camps with the river receding, but slowly.

-Dealers have seen their illegal trade legitimised and propelled by registries. “Our department is basically a facilitator in executing a contract between a buyer and a seller,” says Pushpendra Kumar, assistant inspector-general (AIG), stamp and registration, in Ghaziabad. “As per the registration manual, there is absolutely no say on whether the property that has come for registry is legal or illegal, lawful or unlawful. That is for the civil court to decide,” he adds.

-Ambiguity over the definition of floodplain has played into the hands of the land sharks, as has the inconsistency in building embankments (though that itself has hardly been a deterrent). The irrigation department has constructed 52.5km of embankment or ‘bund’ along the Hindon in Noida and Ghaziabad, which is 50% of the river’s course. “The area between two bunds, through which the river flows, is defined as floodplain but we do not have bunds all along the course of the river and the confusion starts here,” admits Subash Sharma, ziledar, irrigation department.

-According to a 2016 notification of the ministry of water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation, ‘floodplain’ is defined as “such areas of Ganga or its tributaries which come under water on either side of it due to floods corresponding to its greatest flow or with a flood of frequency once in hundred years.”

-Environmentalists argue the same yardstick should be used for Hindon’s floodplains. They say the river has been “occupied” because administrators looked the other way for years and a gaping housing gap in a region that was developing as an economic powerhouse was allowed to remain. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/hin-done-deals-how-a-river-was-sold/articleshow/102241204.cms  (30 July 2023)

Infrastructure works, sludge obstructed free flow According to environmental lawyer and Ghaziabad resident Dipesh Chaudhary, other issues that require attention include the construction of houses and structures on floodplains and irregular cleaning of the river. “The Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) project also utilized the river for constructing pillars, increasing the chances of settling materials on the riverbed. Additionally, an electricity sub-station (220kv Morti) was constructed on the floodplain near Karhera, which could contribute to further inundation of nearby areas,” he said. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/noida-news/flooding-in-ghaziabad-blamed-on-obstruction-to-river-hindon-s-flow-debris-clearing-underway-near-hindon-barrage-101690482697670.html  (28 July 2023)

-हिंडन नदी पर बने इको-पुल का उपयोग शहर के जंगल तक पहुँचने के रास्ते के रूप में किया जाता था। इस पुल के नीचे मृत मवेशी और जलकुंभी फंस जाती है। जिन्हें समय-समय पर निकाला जाता है। फिलहाल पुल पर बड़ी संख्या में जलकुंभी जमी हुई है. इसके चलते हिंडन नदी का पानी सिटी फॉरेस्ट और आसपास के गांवों में भर गया है. पुल में जलकुंभी फंसने से पुल के बहने का खतरा बना हुआ है.

-स्थिति की नजाकत को समझते हुए जीडीए सचिव ने सिंचाई विभाग को पत्र लिखकर पर्यावरण पुल के आसपास जमा जलकुंभी को हटाने में सहयोग का अनुरोध किया है. स्थिति के प्रबंधन में जीडीए के सामने आने वाली बाधाओं को देखते हुए, उनका मानना ​​है कि सिंचाई विभाग की विशेषज्ञता और संसाधन इस चिंता को प्रभावी ढंग से संबोधित कर सकते हैं। https://www.specialcoveragenews.in/uttar-pradesh/ghaziabad/do-you-live-in-ghaziabad-beware-this-bridge-on-verge-of-collapse-1214747  (25 July 2023)

हिंडन के सीने में अवैध बस्तियां बसती गईं, बाढ़ दर्द दे रहा तब याद आया नक्शा https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/uttar-pradesh/noida/hindon-river-flood-noida-why-illegal-colonies-in-extension-floodplain-authority-looking-map/articleshow/102137365.cms  (26 July 2023) हिंडन की बाढ़ में अब डूबने लगा नोएडा, देखिए एक्सटेंशन में बने घरों में घुस गया पानी  https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/photomazza/state-photogallery/noida-flood-news-hindon-river-affected-area-pictures-in-extension/photoshow/102134536.cms  (26 July 2023)

MoJS 40% rise in flash floods in India over three years In 2020, India witnessed 132 flashfloods. The number rose to 145 in 2021, according to the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti’s written reply in the Lok Sabha during the monsoon session. Last year, the country experienced 184 flashfloods, of which 95 were “severe flooding”. Of the total 184 flashfloods recorded in 2022, Uttar Pradesh witnessed extreme flooding and reported 37 flashfloods. It was followed by Bihar (25), Assam (24) and Madhya Pradesh (24).

– The Jal Shakti Ministry said, “The Indian Meteorological Department, in joint collaboration with the US National Weather Service, US Hydrologic Research Centre and USAID/OFDA, has developed ‘Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS)’ for the South Asian region. The FFGS has been operational since October 2020. The FFGS provides warnings for flashfloods about six to 24 hours in advance at the watershed level for the flashflood-prone South Asian countries, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, covering most of the Himalayan region.”

– FLASH FLOODS: Flashflooding is a specific type of flooding that occurs in a short timeframe after a precipitation event. It is caused by heavy or excessive rainfall generally in less than six hours. Flashfloods are usually characterised by raging torrents after heavy rains that rip through river beds, urban streets, or mountain canyons sweeping everything before them. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/40-rise-in-flashfloods-over-three-years-528373  (24 July 2023)

This paper discusses the challenges of existing policy and practice. It suggests a basin-wide approach that builds on the strength of integrated flood management to achieve the desired governance objectives of floodplain zoning. https://www.orfonline.org/research/from-policy-to-practice-charting-a-path-for-floodplain-zoning-in-india-66717/  (25 May 2020)

HFL BREACH

Telangana River Wardha in Godavari basin at Sirpur town level forecast site in Kumuram Bheem district has breached old HFL 162.57 meter dated 15.07.2022 at 05:00 hour on 29.07.2023. Present flood level is 162.74 meter at 11:00 hour on 29.07.2023 and forecasted to touch 162.75 meter at 18:00 hour on 29.07.2023.

This is contrary to CWC forecast made on 28.07.2023 when the flood level was 162.03 meter at 22:00 hour and CWC had forecasted it to come down to 160.75 meter at 18:00 hour on 29.07.2023. The previous HFL for the site was 161.34 meter dated 18.08.2018. (29 July 2023)

River Wardha in Godavari basin at Sirpur town site in Kumuram Bheem district has flown parallel to its HFL 162.57 meter dated 15.07.2022 for 6 hours and started receding. Present flood level is 162.49 meter at 21:00 hour on 24.07.2023 and forecasted to decline further to 161.63 meter at 09:00 hour on 25.07.2023. The old HFL for the site was 161.34 meter attained on 18.08.2018.

River Peleru in Krishna basin at Peleru Bridge site in Krishna district has crossed old HFL 76.79 meter dated 10.08.2008 at 20:00 hour on 27.07.2023. Present flood level is 77.027 meter at 22:00 hour on 27.07.2023.

River Suddavagu in Godavari basin at Bhainsa site in Nirmal district has breached old HFL 354.27 meter dated 16.09.2010 at 16:00 hour on 27.07.2023.

River Maner in Godavari basin at Somanpally site in Karim Nagar district has breached old HFL 128.604 meter 24.07.1989 at 12:00 hour on 27.07.2023.

River Murredu in Godavari basin at Sangam site in Bhadradri strict has breached old HFL 57.3 meter dated 17.06.1996 at 14:00 hour on 27.07.2023.

River Musi in Krishna basin at Anantharam site in Nalgonda district has breached old HFL 230.21 meter dated 14.10.2020 at 16:00 hour on 27.07.2023.

River Munneru in Krishna basin at Pollampalli site in Krishna district has breached old HFL 70.21 meter (attaining date not mentioned by CWC) at 11:00 hour on 27.07.2023.

Uttar Pradesh River Ganga at Kachhla Bridge level forecast site in Budaun district has been flowing either close or parallel or over HFL for past two weeks. The river has once again breached the HFL 1162.57 meter dated 24.09.2010 at 01:00 hour on 30.07.2023 and forecasted to remain at this level upto 08:00 hour on 31.07.2023.

River Hindon at Noida site is flowing in extreme flood situation. Present water level is 197.28 meter at 12:00 hour on 26.07.2023 which is about 2.8 meter higher than the old HFL 195.47 meter dated 20.08.2020.

Uttarakhand River Bhilangane at Chamiyala site in Tehri Garhwal district has breach old HFL 923.95 m dated 18.08.2019 at 09:00 hour on 26.07.2023 and attained the peak 924.54 meter at 10:00 hour on 26.07.23. Present flood level is 924.44 meter at 13:00 hour on 26.07.23 with declining trend.

Madhya Pradesh CWC Flood Forecast site wrongly showing river Shakkar in Narmada basin at Gadarwara site, Narsimhapur district in extreme flood situation while the hydrograph shows actual #water level is 324.5 meter at 08:00 hour on 29.07.23 which ~7.97 meter lower than 332.47 meter HFL dated 08.09.1999. (29 July 2023)

Delhi Yamuna river at Old Railway Bridge level forecast site continues to be in severe flood situation for past 67 hour. The river has crossed the danger level 205.33 meter at 15:00 hour on 26.07.2023 and and the present water level is 205.34 meter at 11:00 hour on 29.07.2023. It is forecasted to come down to 205.3 meter at 14:00 hour on 29.07.2023.

CLOUD BURSTS

Himachal Pradesh 2 cloudbursts damage houses, wash away bridges, roads A stranded vehicle after road washed away on both sides on July 25 2023 in Gadsa Valley in Kullu District. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/2-cloudbursts-in-kullu-damage-houses-wash-away-bridges-roads-529046  (26 July 2023) https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/fresh-flash-flood-in-kullus-garsa-valley-6-houses-washed-away/articleshow/102121895.cms  (26 July 2023)

कुल्लू की गड़सा घाटी में फटा बादल कुल्लू जिले में सुबह करीब चार बजे गड़सा वैली के पंचनाला में बादल फटने से इलाके के दो पटवार वृत में नुकसान हुआ है। उपायुक्त कुल्लू आशुतोष गर्ग ने बताया कि बादल फटने से पांच मकान पूरी तरह क्षतिग्रस्त हो गए हैं, जबकि 15 मकानों को आंशिक रूप से नुकसान पहुंचा है। उन्होंने कहा कि भुंतर- गड़सा मनियार मार्ग  भी कई स्थानों पर क्षतिग्रस्त हुई है। बादल फटने से निजी और सरकारी भूमि को भी नुकसान पहुंचा है। बादल फटने से दो पुल बह गए हैं। बादल फटने से कुछ मवेशियों के बहने का समाचार है।    https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/himachal-pradesh-weather-news-cloud-burst-in-kullu-panchnala-bridges-washed-away-roads-and-houses-damaged-2023-07-25  (25 July 2023)

मणिकर्ण की पहाड़ियों में फटा बादल सुबह (July 25) मणिकर्ण की पहाड़ियों पर बादल फटने से ब्रह्म गंगा नाले में बाढ़ आ गई और पार्वती नदी में उफान आ गया. जिस कारण मणिकर्ण बाजार और गांव में अफरा तफरी का माहौल रहा. मणिकर्ण बाजार के पास रहने वाले लोगों ने अपने घर छोड़ दिए और सुरक्षित स्थान की ओर चले गए. ब्रह्मगंगा नाले में आई उफान के कारण एक मकान के बहने की सूचना है. इसके अलावा वहां बने 4 खोखे में नेपाली रह रहे थे. उन्होंने भी भाग कर जान बचाई और यह खोखे बह गए. वहीं, ब्रह्म गंगा में आई बाढ़ मेंकुछ भूखंड भी बह गए https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/himachal-pradesh/state/kullu/kullu-cloud-burst-in-manikarna-hills-house-and-shop-washed-away-in-kullu-weather-news/hp20230725132755461461151  (25 July 2023)

-रामपुर उपमंडल के सरपारा पंचायत के कंधार गांव में देर रात दो बार बादल फटने से सेब के बगीचों और मकानों को नुकसान पहुंचा है। बाढ़ आने से प्राथमिक पाठशाला का भवन, युवक मंडल का भवन और अन्य लोगों के मकान बह गए हैं। इसके अलावा इस बाढ़ में लोगों की गाय, बैल, भेड़-बकरियां भी बह गई। वहीं कई सेब के बगीचों में पानी भर गया है। जानकारी के अनुसार, देर रात अचानक 11 बजे बादल फटा और लोगों ने भाग कर अपनी जान बचाई लेकिन मकानों और बगीचों को काफी नुकसान हुआ है। इसके बाद फिर तीन बजे बादल फटने से आई बाढ़ ने तबाही मचा कर रख दी।

-इससे पहले, सोमवार रात कुल्लू जिले की गड़सा घाटी में मंगलवार तड़के 4:00 बजे बादल फटने से पंचा नाले और हुरला नाले में बाढ़ आ गई। इससे तीन मकान बह गए, जबकि दो बुरी तरह क्षतिग्रस्त हो गए हैं। 17 मकानों को आंशिक नुकसान पहुंचा है। तीन पैदल और एक वाहन योग्य पुल भी बह गए हैं। एक गाड़ी भी गड़सा खड्ड में बह गई। कुछ मवेशी लापता हैं। भुंतर-गड़सा मनियार मार्ग कई स्थानों पर क्षतिग्रस्त हो गया है। https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/himachal-pradesh-weather-update-heavy-rain-cloud-burst-in-shimla-imd-predict-live-hp-weather-news-in-hindi-2023-07-26  (26 July 2023)

-बीते दिन कुल्लू जिले में दो जगहों पर बादल फटा था. वहीं, अब शिमला के रामपुर उपमंडमंल में कांधार गांव में बीती रात बादल फटने से भारी नुकसान हुआ है. लोगों ने रात को खुड और गुफा में रहकर अपनी जान बचाई. वहीं, इस घटना में दो घर, एक स्कूल और कई मवेशियों के बहने की खबर है. https://www.etvbharat.com/hindi/himachal-pradesh/bharat/shimla-rampur-cloud-burst-in-kandhar-village-of-sarpara-panchayat-himachal-monsoon/na20230726103410650650338  (26 July 2023)

-Heavy rain, cloudbursts and landslides have claimed 37 lives and caused widespread damage across the state since July 8 with Kullu and Mandi districts bearing the brunt. Twelve people are still missing. Since the onset of monsoon on June 24, a total of 122 people have lost their lives while 140 suffered injuries and 12 are still missing.

-Nearly 400 sheep died due to extreme cold in the high-altitude Pin Valley, while 1,200 sheep were rescued in Lahaul and Spiti district that received snow. Nearly 1,100 sheep and goats were stranded between rivulets near Bhava Pass, 17 km from Mud. The rescue team changed the flow of the drain and rescued the sheep and goats. After four hours, all shepherds were able to reach the village.  https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/flash-flood-tragedy-one-dead-three-injured-in-himachal-pradesh-heavy-rain-and-landslides-continue-101689585140686.html  (18 July 2023)  

शुक्रवार (July 28) को चंबा जिला के जनजातीय क्षेत्र भरमौर की चन्हौता पंचायत के मछेतर नाले में बादल फटने से आई बाढ़ में भारी नुकसान हुआ है। बादल फटने की इस घटना में दो मंजिला मकान, दो घराट, कुठेड़ जल विद्युत परियोजना के निर्माण में लगी कंपनी की एक जेसीबी मशीन, डम्पर, ट्रक, लोडर और अन्य मशीनरी बाढ़ में बह गई। प्रत्यक्षदर्शियों के मुताबिक मछेतर कस्बे में कुठेड़ जलविद्युत परियोजना का कार्य कर रही कंपनी के खड़े तीन डम्परों के कारण बाढ़ में आए मलबे का रास्ता बदल गया, अन्यथा मछेतर कस्बे और खड़ामुख होली मार्ग पर बने पुल का नामोनिशान मिट सकता था।

उधर, किन्नौर जिला में राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग-5 दो स्थानों पर भूस्खलन और भारी भरकम चट्टानें गिरने से बंद हो गया है। किन्नौर जिला के प्रवेश द्वारा चौरा के समीप सुबह से ही राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग चट्टानें गिरने से अवरुद्ध है। इसी तरह वांगतू पुल के पास भूस्खलन और चट्टानें गिरने से बिजली के टावर सहित कई मकान क्षतिग्रस्त हो गए हैं। चट्टानों से वांगतू के पास बने पुल को भी नुकसान हुआ है जिसके चलते ये सड़क यातायात के लिए बंद हो गई है।

किन्नौर जिला में ही नाथपा गांव में फिर से भूस्खलन हुआ और पहाड़ का बड़ा हिस्सा टूट कर गिर गया। भारी भरकम चट्टानें गिरने से गांव के कई मकानों को खतरा हो गया है और लोग डरे-सहमे हुए हैं। नाथपा पंचायत के प्रधान आर.पी नेगी ने कहा कि यहां खतरे की जद में सभी मकानों को खाली करवा दिया गया है।  https://shorturl.at/rCDR6  (28 July 2023)

Jammu & Kashmir  Cloudbursts and Flash Floods In the last 20 days, Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh have encountered over two dozen potential cloudbursts, inflicting considerable damage to infrastructure, orchards, and crops, and tragically resulting in casualties due to flash floods.   https://kashmirobserver.net/2023/07/26/cloudbursts-and-flash-floods/  (26 July 2023)

Report Flash floods caused by cloudbursts have caused significant damage to villages and cities in the Himalayan regions of Kashmir and Ladakh in India. Cloudbursts happen when enormous water-filled clouds empty their contents due to cold air pushing down the water, causing intense flooding and landslides. Experts attribute the increasing frequency of cloudbursts to global warming, which is resulting in more evaporation of water. Over 10 cm of rain over at least 10 sq km in an hour. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/how-to/what-are-cloudbursts-and-is-climate-change-making-them-more-frequent-in-india/articleshow/102229046.cms  (29 July 2023)

Last Saturday (July 22, 2023), Mohammed Aslam was working in his kitchen garden when he heard his fellow villagers shouting that water was coming from the nearby foothills in southern Kulgam area in Kashmir. Within moments, the farmer said, mud and muck from gushing water swept through the village, damaging scores of homes. “It was sudden and swift,” Aslam said. A cloudburst followed by flashfloods hit nearly a dozen villages in Kulgam, filling homes with mud and washing away some cattle.

– A day before, on Friday night, another cloudburst in the neighboring arid, cold desert region of Ladakh triggered flashfloods and inundated parts of its major town, Leh. The floodwaters entered the town’s main market, damaging shops, sweeping away vehicles and leaving its streets a muddy mess.

– Intense weather events, especially when more than 10 centimeters (3.94 inches) of rainfall occurs within a 10 square kilometers (3.86 square miles) region within an hour, are called cloudbursts. They have the potential to wreak havoc, causing intense flooding and landslides that affect thousands of people in mountainous regions.

– Former IMD official Anand Sharma says cloudbursts occur when cumulonimbus clouds — enormous water-filled, cauliflower-shaped clouds — empty their contents because of cold air pushing the water down. “Normally there are drafts flowing both up and down but in certain conditions, especially when the cloud grows up vertically, sometimes up to 16 kilometers (9.94 miles), cold air enters the cloud and the air flow moves only downwards,” he said. https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/cloudbursts-climate-change-making-frequent-101644362  (26 July 2023)

Arunachal Pradesh The passengers of a vehicle escaped when a sudden burst of water caused by heavy rainfall washed away their vehicle in the Ribi Korong area of the Pasighat-Yingkiong road in Arunachal Pradesh on Saturday, July 29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJ2tKga0Ua4  (29 July 2023)

URBAN FLOODS

Gurugram Waterlogging still a riddle that city can’t solve It’s been seven years since the infamous “Gurujam” of 2016, when commuters were stuck in a mammoth gridlock on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway for nearly two days after rainfall of 52mm, during the course of a single day, flooded all arterial roads, inundated houses, and washed away the city’s moniker of “Millennium City”.

-Every monsoon since then, civic agencies aver that the situation has vastly improved and Gurugram will no longer face waterlogging of that scale again. But residents say little has improved and new waterlogging spots emerge after every bout of rain. A lasting solution to waterlogging still eludes Gurugram. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news/seven-years-after-gurujam-gurugram-s-waterlogging-woes-persist-despite-promised-solutions-101690481197011.html  (27 July 2023)

Gujarat The trouble began in the afternoon as floodwaters of rivers originating from hills of the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary shadowing Junagadh City started swelling after heavy rains which started at around 10 am. Between 10 am and 2 pm, the city logged around 3.5 inches of rain. However, rain intensity picked up dramatically after that and the city and its surrounding areas were lashed by more than five inches of rain between 2 pm and 4 pm. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/flash-flood-creates-scare-in-gujrats-junagadh-cars-livestock-swept-away-from-streets-8854790/  (22 July 2023)

Bengaluru Several posh villas built in Rainbow Drive Layout (RBD), an upscale private gated community off Sarjapura road in Bengaluru east, that was flooded in 2022, may face demolition as the survey conducted by Assistant Director of Land Records (ADLR) found Storm-Water Drain (SWD) encroachment. The survey was submitted to the Karnataka High Court last week. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/posh-villas-in-rainbow-drive-layout-may-face-demolition-as-hc-ordered-survey-finds-swd-encroachment/article67130971.ece  (28 July 2023)

DISASTERS

Uttarakhand 75 bridges found ‘unsafe’ The government had ordered a safety audit of the state’s bridges in November 2022 and 35 were deemed “unsafe”. Significantly, in the latest safety audit this month, the number of “unsafe” bridges – both in rural and urban areas – has gone up to 75, with 15 in Pauri district alone. The state government has now ordered a halt to vehicular movement on bridges in “extremely bad condition”. There are 3,262 bridges in the state. Among the “unsafe” ones in the latest audit, apart from 15 in Pauri, 13 are in Dehradun, followed by Chamoli (9), Tehri (7), six each in Uttarkashi and Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar (5), Almora (4), three each in Pithoragarh and on the national highway, Nainital (2) and one in Rudraprayag and Bageshwar. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/75-uttarakhand-bridges-found-unsafe-pauri-tops-list-with-15/articleshow/102183811.cms  (28 July 2023)

LANDSLIDES

Himachal Pradesh NH-5 blocked, Kinnaur cut off due to massive landslide  Kinnaur district has been cut off from the rest of the state after stretches of NH-5 were blocked due to multiple landslides after heavy showers on Thursday (July 27). A stretch of the highway has sunk at Baroni Khad in the Rampur subdivision. The highway is also blocked at Manglad and Pashada due to rock falls and landslides. Blockade of the road has also snapped the link with Spiti valley, said DC Rana, director of state disaster management authority (SDMA).

Kinnaur deputy commissioner Torul S Raveesh said four houses came under threat at Nathpa village due to a massive landslide. The houses were vacated and debris was cleared from the highway, she said.

Rana said a total of 466 roads, including three national highways, are blocked for traffic across the state. A maximum of 220 roads are blocked in Shimla, 48 in Mandi and 45 in Sirmaur. In Shimla district’s Rohru subdivision administration got three houses vacated in Kotsari village after cracks developed due to the landslide.

Meanwhile, the situation continues to be grim in the low-lying areas of the Fatehpur assembly segment in Kangra after water release from Pong Dam inundated about 30 hectares of agricultural land in the downstream areas. Fatehpur MLA Bhawani Singh Pathania said Mand Bhadpur, Haled and Bela Thakran in Riyali panchayat were the worst hit where more than 20 families were shifted to safer places. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/himachal-nh-5-blocked-kinnaur-cut-off-due-to-massive-landslide-101690567128898.html  (28 July 2023)

Uttarakhand 72 dead in natural disasters, road accidents since June 15 According to the natural disaster report of the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), 29 people have lost their lives in natural disasters – landslides being the biggest killer – in the last one-and-a-half months. Of the 29 fatalities, 19 were reported in the last 20 days. Besides, 32 people have suffered injuries in these incidents, with the majority of them being reported since July 10, when rain-triggered natural disasters increased in the state.   https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/72-dead-in-natural-disasters-road-accidents-since-june-15/articleshow/102185759.cms  (28 July 2023)

Recurring landslides at Mansa Devi hills The recurring landslides and land erosion from Mansa Devi mountain during the monsoon season have become a grave concern for the safety of 50,000 residents residing in residential colonies such as Brhampuri, Khadkhadi, Nayi Basi, Jogia Mandi, and Bhimgoda.

-Over the past month, the Dehradun-Haridwar railway track has been closed on four occasions due to debris, and the continuous erosion and landslides also pose a threat to two British-era railway tunnels. In light of these risks, the district magistrate (DM) of Haridwar has urgently written to the disaster management secretary, requesting the formation of an expert committee to assess the situation in the area. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/landslides-at-mansa-devi-hill-threaten-safety-of-50k-locals/articleshow/102094634.cms  (25 July 2023)

Erosion by Nigal river causing landslide threats for Kandai village in Pokhari block of Chamoli district. https://uttarakhandhimalaya.in/crisis-on-another-village-of-chamoli-lingomati-river-cutting-the-foundation-of-the-village/  (31 July 2023)

Arunachal Pradesh Massive landslides and rockslides triggered by torrential rain in the Siang region have yet again snapped road communication between Pasighat (East Siang) and Pangin (Siang). Landslides and rockslides have occurred along the Pasighat-Pangin highway at Sirki, Rengging Rottung, Kardong, Lelek, and Kalamati (Dura Korong). https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2023/07/30/pasighat-pangin-highway-snapped-again/  (30 July 2023)

Landslides triggered by incessant rainfall occurred in various locations in Upper Subansiri district. Two houses, owned by Pusar Ginglo and Vijay Dupit, were washed away in a landslide that occurred on Friday at Donyi Colony in Taliha town. Further, several properties, both movable and immovable, have reportedly been damaged by landslides. https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2023/07/30/landslides-hit-u-subansiri-2-houses-washed-away/  (30 July 2023)

DROUGHT

Vimal Misra Drought is gripping part of eastern-north states (eastern UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal). The forecast of weak monsoon in coming weeks can further strengthen drought! http://indiadroughtmonitor.in/#/standardized-precipitation-index  (July 2023)

ENERGY OPTIONS

Ladakh The Changpa Shephert community, fearing threat to their livelihood in Ladakh, are opposing the 10 GW Solar project over 3750 acres of land. This land is located between Ladakh and Manali where in the arid area beyond the glaciers, further from Tenglong. The Changpa community is already adversely affected due to climate change. This project is part of a larger series of projects over 20 000 acres of non-grass land, says Solar Corporation of India. The project DPR is being prepared. https://www.emsindia.com/news/show/2413634/national  (27 July 2023)

ENVIRONMENT GOVERNANCE

Forest Conservation Bill 2023:- Among the most contentious issues in the Bill include redefining the scope of the law and excluding “strategic linear projects of national importance and concerning national security,” that fall within 100 kilometers of international borders from them. It also proposes to exempt up to 10 hectares of land for security infrastructure and 0.1 hectares of forest land along railway lines and roads. https://india.mongabay.com/2023/07/controversial-forest-amendment-bill-passed-in-lok-sabha-but-key-questions-remain-unanswered/ 

Karnataka State govt violated law in appointing KSPCB chief Documents obtained through RTI show that officials in the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department were aware of the rule. Akash J, who unearthed the documents through RTI, said the government’s November 11, 2021, notification issued following Bommai’s decision was illegal.

-“Cumulatively, the decision is in flagrant violation of the Act,” he said noting that Thimmaiah had enjoyed “illegal benefits and perks” for more than a year which need to be recovered. DH had earlier written about Thimmaiah’s conflict of interest. He was the head of a lab that prepared documents for mining and construction projects of big companies, from Vedanta to Adani.   https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/three-year-term-state-govt-violated-law-in-appointing-kspcb-chief-1240382.html  (25 July 2023)

CLIMATE CHANGE

Study Reducing fossil fuel emissions might have greater climate benefits than afforestation A recent study from researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), which analysed the impacts of increased afforestation and curbing fossil fuel emissions on climate change, has found that reduction of emissions could help reduce temperatures more effectively. “Results showed that over a long-term period (from 2471 to 2500), reducing fossil fuel emissions can lead to a cooler climate – with a temperature reduction ranging between 0.36°C-0.42°C – compared to the impacts of afforestation, even though the amount of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere by the two approaches is the same,” IISc said.

– This disparity arises because afforestation, while effective at carbon removal, also introduces biophysical changes on the Earth’s surface, such as decreased reflectivity for sunlight and increased evapotranspiration, which together partly offset the cooling effect from carbon removal, the institute said. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/reducing-fossil-fuel-emissions-might-have-greater-climate-benefits-than-afforestation-iisc/articleshow/102221415.cms  (29 July 2023)

SOUTH ASIA

Bhutan Dave Petley:- This is clearly a very steep, dissected landscape, with multiple small tributaries feeding into the main channel. This is a classic for landscape for small slips combining to create a channelised debris flow.

https://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2023/07/25/ungar-1/  (25 July 2023)

ASIA

MEKONG  How giant fish could help save river Around the world, freshwater fish are in trouble. That’s especially true of large species. But one recent episode surprised scientists: A massive stingray was pulled out of the Mekong River by Cambodian fishermen last year. The fish, a female, weighed 661 pounds, or about 300 kilograms, and set a record for the heaviest freshwater fish ever caught. The discovery was surprising because the species, known as the giant freshwater stingray, like many of the other big fish of the Mekong, is listed as endangered. Yet, here was evidence that huge ones, somehow, still exist.

– Nearly a third of freshwater fish worldwide are threatened with extinction. Since 1970, 94 percent of bigger species, those that weigh more than 66 pounds, have declined, researchers have found. In the Mekong, all of the other big fish are on the brink of extinction. “So how does the world’s largest freshwater fish persist?” Dr. Hogan said. “And what can we learn from them about saving the Mekong system as a whole?”

– According to findings published in May in the journal Water, her territory is surprisingly small for a fish of such size, encompassing just a few miles in a stretch of river known for its deep pools, its high species count and its population of endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. It stays close to her home. And, Boramy’s (the name given to the giant fish they caught and released) preference for a small territory probably applies to giant freshwater stingrays in general, according to another study by Dr. Hogan and colleagues that was published in June.

– Using acoustic telemetry, the researchers tracked 22 giant freshwater stingrays in a section of the Mekong in Thailand and found that many of the animals also confined themselves to relatively small areas, on the scale of a few miles. The researchers in Thailand also observed that male and female giant stingrays of all ages tended to live together, another discovery that stands in contrast to other Mekong megafish, which usually spend parts of their lives in separate sections of river. Taken together, these findings may help explain why giant freshwater stingrays are not yet as imperiled as other large Mekong species, Dr. Hogan said. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/climate/giant-stingray-mekong-river.html  (21 July 2023)

THE REST OF THE WORLD

USA Well-managed dams & smart forecasting can limit flooding Every flood control reservoir is unique, and these documents account for the specific priorities associated with each location. A flood control manual may stipulate maximum allowable outflows as reservoir levels rise. It also may constrain flows based on downstream river gauges to reduce flood impacts. Managers still have to make choices, though. While the manual may give specific storage or downstream flow targets, no two floods are the same. It is up to reservoir operators to determine how to meet those targets. Releasing too little water can increase the risk of even larger floods in the future if more storms are on the way. This trade-off between current and future flood risk is known as “hedging.”

– Years of research with complex computer models and simulation have helped optimize this decision-making process. Unfortunately, what looks good on paper isn’t always easy to put into practice, particularly when many of the nation’s aging dams require manually opening or closing the gates. Further, these decisions are often made during heavy rainfall, when conditions change quickly, and the operators do not have the gift of hindsight. To make the best possible decisions about water releases, accurate forecasts are essential. This is an area ripe for improvement. The value of a rainfall forecast for reservoir operation can be thought of as a three-legged stool built on where, when and how much rain falls. A rainfall forecast that only gets two of these three variables correct may do more harm than good. For example, a manager could preemptively release water for a storm that is expected upstream of a reservoir – only to see the storm hit downstream instead, potentially causing flood damage when combined with those preemptive releases.

– To mitigate this risk, many flood control reservoirs are operated using a “water on the ground” approach. Rather than using a forecast, this approach waits to see where the rain falls and then reacts. Though this often results in a delayed reservoir response, it also reduces the risk of operational mistakes. Studies show that there may be potential to use forecast-informed reservoir operation to help manage floods, while also maximizing water supply within regions that are prone to droughts. This trade-off has historically been particularly hard to navigate. As climate change makes extreme rainfall more common, it will further test the nation’s flood-fighting capabilities and reservoir networks’ finite storage. https://theconversation.com/how-well-managed-dams-and-smart-forecasting-can-limit-flooding-as-extreme-storms-become-more-common-in-a-warming-world-210052  (25 July 2023)

New Zealand Just 8 engineers trained so far to monitor 1500 dams From  May 2024, the owners of an estimated 1500 dams in New Zealand must have a safety plan in place that has been vetted by a recognised dam engineer. Globally, concerns are rising about whether dams will cope with increasingly severe storms.

– The regulations brought in 2022 require all but the smallest dams to be assessed for their high-to-low risk of causing damage to people or nature if they breach. “The assessment requires estimates of the extent and effects of downstream flood inundation due to uncontrolled release,” the MBIE guidelines said.

– Peak flow is key, and climate change is boosting those. A dam’s safety plan must include inundation maps that show the arrival time of the first flood waters, when the peak would arrive, and how high the peak would be.  https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/07/29/just-eight-engineers-trained-so-far-to-monitor-1500-dams-for-safety/  (29 July 2023)

Study Exploring rivers for clues to carbon & climate change Bre Waterman wades into the flowing Missouri River near the town of St. Joseph on the Kansas-Missouri border. The University of Kansas graduate student collects river water in a dark brown plastic container about the size of a ketchup bottle. She also gathers sediment from the river floor, scooping the wet mud into 5-inch long test tubes. After collecting 16 samples, Waterman carefully packs up all the materials along with ice packs into a dented cardboard box, tapes it shut, and mails it across the country to Richland, Washington. Waterman is a participant in the Worldwide Hydrobiogeochemical Observation Network for Dynamic River Systems (WHONDRS). It’s quite a tongue twister of a title for a river corridor research project hosted by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland. She is one of almost 100 contributors not affiliated with PNNL who collect river water and sediment samples for the project. By collecting samples from around the United States and the entire world, the WHONDRS team can see how climate change and climate change-induced impacts, such as wildfires and increased carbon dioxide emissions, are affecting rivers in different parts of the world. For example it would help see how nutrients such as oxygen and carbon dioxide vary in river corridors worldwide in the midst of a rapidly changing climate. https://www.circleofblue.org/2023/world/exploring-rivers-around-the-globe-for-clues-to-carbon-and-climate-change/  (July 2023)

Compiled by SANDRP (ht.sandrp@gmail.com)

Also see: DRP News Bulletin 24 July 2023 & DRP News Bulletin 17 July 2023  

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