(Feature Image: Dense Dudhatoli forest range near Peethsain in Thalisain block of Pauri Garhwal. Feb. 2023/ SANDRP)

As editorial comments in two different national newspapers given below shows, the biodiversity and forest conservation amendment bills passed by the Parliament last week weaken the cause of biodiversity and forest conservation, when it is most pressingly required to strengthen them.

Both amendments pave the way for ease of doing business and reducing role of local communities, both in terms of legal norms and practical implications.

The need for conservation of these resources was never more urgent than now considering the impacts of climate change on them and their importance for not only livelihood security of vast millions, but also for hydrological implications, food security, protection against increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, but also for adaptation in the context of changing climate. We hope against hope that better sense will prevail sooner rather than later to ensure the amendments do not lead to destruction of forest and biodiversity resources.

EDIT An Amendment that harms biodiversity The Biodiversity (Amendment) Bill, passed by both Houses of Parliament last week, raises serious concerns about the impact it will have on cause it claims to promote: biodiversity conservation and equitable sharing of benefits. The provisions are likely to have the opposite effect. The amendment is likely to significantly dilute the provisions of the existing act. The bill does not seem to consider the local communities and forest dwellers as stakeholders. Even if many of the provisions of the existing act have not been implemented, the amendments weaken the biodiversity conservation norms, when there is strong need to protect the biodiversity, particulatly in the context of climate change.  https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/editorial/an-amendment-that-harms-biodiversity-2636991

EDIT Huge gap in intent & application A yawning gap between intent and application has been one of the enduring features of India’s policies on the environment. The Narendra Modi-led dispensation is not immune from such mischief. Consider the forest (conservation) amendment bill, 2023, which was recently passed in Parliament with the objective of amending the Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980 under the guise that the realities on the ground have changed and affirmative steps are needed to address them. The Centre has justified the legislative reform as being part of its commitment to mitigate climate change and argued that the bill — scientists and environmentalists have raised concerns about it — includes provisions that would make India ‘atmanirbhar’ in agroforestry while increasing the forest cover. The intentions are made to sound noble. But what is unfathomable is the government’s vigour for recalibrating the FCA that was watertight as well as effective in achieving the aforementioned objective. https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/green-mischief-editorial-on-the-recently-passed-forest-conservation-amendment-bill-2023/cid/1955835  (1 August 2023)

Chetan Agarwal and Vijay Dhasmana write Forest conservation amendment is silent on forests as per dictionary meaning, making large areas in states like Haryana and Uttarakhand vulnerable. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/the-wills-not-there-for-our-woods/articleshow/102359534.cms  (02 Aug. 2023)

Why FCA Amendment bill undermines India’s climate commitments. https://thefederal.com/videos/interviews/why-fca-amendment-bill-undermines-indias-climate-commitments/  (04 Aug. 2023)

HYDRO POWER PROJECTS

Himachal Pradesh Sainj residents blame NHPC for disaster Sainj (HP) residents have said that the NHPC authorities are responsible for the flood disaster they faced on July 9, as NHPC suddenly, without warning released water from the Parbati 3 dam. The district collector said that an enquiry has been ordered. NHPC accepted that they opened the gates on July 8 and kept them open till July 10, but claimed that they had sounded alarm, which the local refute. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/sainj-residents-blame-nhpc-for-disaster-531251  (2 August 2023)

Malana dam gates still choked Malana hydropower project in Kullu district is currently in the news for still being unable to open the dam gates, which have been blocked by the considerable muck and debris upstream. The Malana hydropower project is a privately run entity generating 86 MW of electricity, owned by a joint venture of two private players, Bhilwara Energy Limited (51% share) and Statkraft-Norway (49%). https://www.newsclick.in/hp-malana-dam-gates-still-not-operational-govt-must-ensure-safety-hydropower-projects  (05 Aug. 2023)  The NDRF and BBMB officials having failed to open the jammed two gates of the Malana 2 hydropower proejct in Kullu Dist of HP since July 24, now technicians from Delhi Have been called. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/technicians-from-delhi-called-to-open-kullu-dam-floodgates-531533  (3 August 2023)

Jammu & Kashmir Pir Panchal’s Sinking Houses Duksar village, 35 km from Ramban district became a disaster zone when 16 houses, including Zubair’s, succumbed to land subsidence in a three-day span in Feb 2023. The road between Gool, a peripheral mountain town, and Ramban was severely damaged, resulting in a loss of connectivity, said Khan. Cracks spanning 500 metres appeared, he said, causing disruptions to electricity and water supply. With a total of 1,035 houses hanging in the balance, this small community found itself locked in a race against time to prevent further disaster.

– Residents blamed the ongoing Katra-Banihal railway line and the construction on National Highway 244, which connects the Doda and Kishtwar districts in Jammu to Anantnag district in south Kashmir, as potential causes of the land subsidence. These projects involve extensive tunnelling and bridge construction in the sensitive Pir Panchal mountains. Additionally, the 850-MW Ratle hydropower project, being built about 7 km away from Thathri, is also seen as a cause of the crisis.

– G.M. Bhat, the geologist who has also extensively researched earthquakes in the region, however warns about the consequences of unregulated development of dams. “There has been a noticeable rise in the frequency of earthquakes and cloudbursts in Chenab Valley lately,” Bhat said. “If these natural calamities happen in proximity to lakes or dam sites, the resulting massive influx of water will bring catastrophic destruction to the downstream settlement.” https://www.indiaspend.com/development/from-cracks-to-catastrophe-pir-panchals-sinking-houses-871256  (31 July 2023)

Uttarakhand जोशीमठ भूधंसाव मामले में केंद्र ने दिया गोलमोल जवाब जोशीमठ भूधंसाव के मामले में सरकार से संसद में सवाल पूछा गया, लेकिन सरकार की ओर से केंद्रीय पर्यावरण, वन एवं जलवायु परिवर्तन राज्य मंत्री अश्विनी कुमार चौबे ने पुरानी बातें दोहरा दी। उन्होंने बताया कि भूधंसाव के बाद तपोवन-विष्णुगाड पन बिजली परियोजना और हेलंंग मारवाड़ी बाइपास का काम रोक दिया गया था। हालांकि उन्होंने यह नहीं बताया कि हेलंग बाइपास का काम बाद में शुरू कर दिया गया था। यहां यह भी बता दें कि इन एजेंसियों की रिपोर्ट को अब तक सार्वजनिक नहीं किया गया है। https://www.downtoearth.org.in/hindistory/development/urbanisation/rules-should-not-be-ignored-in-construction-work-in-environmentally-sensitive-area-joshimath-90889  (28 July 2023)

Sikkim SJVN inks pact with Sikkim Urja Ltd to trade 180 MW units Public sector hydropower major SJVN on Thursday (Aug 3 2023) inked a memorandum of understanding with Teesta Urja Project company to trade 180 MW power. CERC has allowed this. This is SJVN’s first business in Sikkim. https://energy.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/renewable/sjvn-inks-pact-with-sikkim-urja-ltd-to-trade-180-mw-units/102407463  (4 August 2023)

MoEF Relevant decisions of FAC meeting held on July 17, 2023, minutes now available:

1. Diversion of 73.94 ha forest land for Kareghat Minor Irrigation Tank at Kareghat, Tal. Nawapur, Dist Nandurbar in Mah: More Info Sought.

2. Diversion of 181.39 ha (182.16 ha as per online proposal) forest land for Apchand Medium Irrigation Project in Sagar Dist of Madhya Pradesh: Approved

3. Diversion of 160.4 ha. of forest land in Karlakatti, Chakrageri, Kagihal Village, Savadatti (Saundatti) Taluk, Belagavi Dist for Standalone Pumped Storage Component of Saundatti Integrated Renewable Energy Project (IREP) of Greenko Solar Energy Pvt Ltd, Bangaluru, Karnataka: More Info Sought

4. Diversion of 426.763 ha of forest land in Panna Dist for Majhagaon Medium Irrigation Project Madhya Pradesh: Penalty for violation reduced

5. Diversion of 7.3722 ha of forest land as additional forest land requirement in already approved diversion for Shongtong Karchham Hydro Electric Project, HPPCL in Dist Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh: More Info Sought https://forestsclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/FAC_Minutes/811412912181MoMPARIVESH.pdf 

DAMS

Jharkhand Swarnarekha Project of Jharkhand started in 1977 (original cost Rs 129 Cr), still about 50% incomplete after 46 years even after spending Rs 7133 Cr, the current project cost estimate is Rs 14950 Cr. (31 July 2023)

शुक्रवार (Aug. 4) को मामले की सुनवाई करते हुए चीफ जस्टिस संजय कुमार मिश्र और जस्टिस आनंदा सेन की खंडपीठ ने राज्य सरकार से पूछा है कि 6 हजार करोड़ से अधिक की राशि खर्च करने के बाद खरकई डैम प्रोजेक्ट को क्यों बंद कर दिया गया? मामले की अगली सुनवाई 13 अक्टूबर को होगी।  प्रार्थी का कहना है कि सरकार ने इस डैम के प्रोजेक्ट पर 6 हजार करोड़ से अधिक की राशि खर्च कर दी है। मार्च 2020 में बिना कारण के इस प्रोजेक्ट को रोक दिया गया, जबकि डैम के लिए जमीन का अधिग्रहण भी हो चुका है। प्रभावित विस्थापितों को बसाने के लिए नई जगह भी चुनी गई है। ऐसे में इस प्रोजेक्ट को पूरा किया जाए। https://www.bhaskar.com/local/jharkhand/ranchi/news/kharkai-dam-project-of-subarnarekha-project-has-been-closed-by-the-government-131640219.html  (05 Aug. 2023)

DVC to build multipurpose Bhalpahadi dam near Giridih in Jharkhand on Barakar river (river already has two dams: Tilaiya and Maithon) at estimated cost of Rs 6000 Cr. DPR has been prepared. https://www.bhaskar.com/local/jharkhand/dhanbad/news/new-dam-to-be-built-on-barakar-between-tundi-giridih-6000-crores-spent-131622766.html  (1 August 2023)

Goa Govt to build 3 dams Thee state govt has plans to build more dams, barrages, justifying in the name of changing rainfall patterns https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/four-dams-to-be-recharged-and-3-reservoirs-to-be-built/articleshow/102364433.cms  (3 August 2023)

Gujarat Survey begins to build walls on proposed barrage The 1.2-km conventional barrage on Tapi river, connecting Rundh to Bhata village, was proposed by SMC in 2003. Faced with various problems, including technical issues, the project had failed to take off. Now, after 20 years, a survey has been started to erect embankment wall on the banks of the river, said civic officials, adding that work would be completed by the end of the year.

-The project was taken up to fulfill the drinking water requirement of the people of Surat for 50 years. While at present, water discharged from Ukai dam reaches Tapi river and then travels to the Arabian Sea, the conventional barrage would stop Ukai dam water from reaching the sea, thereby keeping the Tapi river full the entire year.

-The SMC commissioner further said that work on the Dumas Sea Phase project – a recreational and eco-tourism spot coming up on 107 hectare in Dumas near Surat and estimated to cost over Rs 600 crore – has begun. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/ahmedabad/survey-begins-to-build-walls-on-proposed-barrage-on-tapi-river-8872180/  (2 August 2023)

Himachal Pradesh रेणुकाजी बांध परियोजना के महाप्रबंधक आरके चौधरी ने बताया कि रेणुका बांध को राष्ट्रीय महत्व के साथ-साथ बहुआयामी परियोजना में शामिल किया गया है। यदि रेणुका बांध बना होता तो दिल्ली में तबाही से निश्चित तौर पर बचा जा सकता था। प्रस्तावित रेणुकाजी बांध 48 घंटे तक पानी को रोककर रखने की क्षमता रखता है। बांध का निर्माण पानी को रोकने के मकसद से ही किया जाता है, जबकि बैराज में पानी बहुत कम मात्रा मेंं कुछ समय तक ही ठहर सकता है। https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/renukaji-dam-project-news-renukaji-dam-will-prevent-devastation-caused-by-floods-in-delhi-can-hold-water-for-2023-08-06  (06 Aug. 2023)

URBAN RIVERS

Kosathalaiyar; Chennai River turns a dump yard A stretch of the Kosasthalaiyar River in Puzhal has become a garbage dump for neighbouring town panchayats in Tiruvallur, with activists saying no action has been taken against them. Last week, TOI spotted a lorry of Naravari Kuppam panchayat dumping waste on the banks of the river near the outlet of the Puzhal reservoir, with a nearly 250 metre stretch reeking of foul odour. Excess water released from the Puzhal reservoir into Kosasthalaiyar would be carrying garbage to the downstream areas, say residents.

-This has been happening since 2017, said D Neelakannan, president of Madhavaram Residents Welfare Association. In 2019, plans for a park were shelved and the area became a dump yard again. In 2020, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board directed the PWD to desilt the reservoir and fence the area. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/kosasthalaiyar-river-turns-a-dump-yard/articleshow/102259872.cms  (31 July 2023)

RIVERS

GANGA Uttarakhand Kedarnath: Decade after disaster Tourism-focused reconstruction after major floods at the pilgrimage site of Kedarnath, raised safety concerns among experts – underlined by a new deadly landslide. Ravi Chopra says that the lessons that should have emerged after the 2013 floods have not been well understood by engineers and planners. “We are in a severe earthquake-prone zone, and the valley base where Kedarnath is located has been formed by the rolling down of big rocks and boulders over the centuries. So, the base of that valley is not a consolidated mass of rock, and in the event of an earthquake, these boulders will shake, which will make the superstructure on top quite susceptible to collapse.”

Mallika Bhanot, a member of Ganga Ahvaan, a citizens’ forum working for the free-flowing Ganga in its upper stretches, says that reconstruction work is putting too much pressure on the fragile Kedarnath Valley. “The rampant construction of roads, hydropower projects, guest houses, and…helicopter tourism is adding cumulative stress of excessive infrastructure construction and increased carrying capacity. Therefore, more people are reaching the shrine and adding to the load. The area is basically systematically being degraded… If another [flood like that in] 2013 happens, then the impact of the disaster will be manifold.” https://www.thethirdpole.net/en/climate/a-decade-after-the-floods-is-kedarnath-safer/  (04 Aug. 2023)

Namami Gange STP Project in Chamoli: Probe says faulty earthing led to death of 16 people.  https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/probe-finds-faulty-earthing-led-to-electrocution-at-sewage-treatment-plant-in-uttarakhands-chamoli-530129  (30 July 2023)

बदरीनाथ धाम में मास्टर प्लान के तहत निर्माणाधीन वैकल्पिक पुल का ढांचा खड़ा किए जाने के दौरान हादसा हो गया। ढांचा गिरने से दो मजदूर अलकनंदा नदी में बह गए। एक मजदूर को तो बचा लिया गया, लेकिन दूसरा मजदूर लापता है।   https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/laborer-working-on-an-alternative-bridge-under-construction-badrinath-dham-master-plan-drowned-in-alaknanda-2023-08-02  (2 August 2023)

Reviving river, landscape restoration large-scale ecological degradation, tourism’s impact, and the ongoing construction of dams and highways. It is also critical to examine the capacities of its numerous communities, especially women, who are custodians of managing the landscape, their vulnerabilities and their capacity to adapt. https://savekumaon.com/reviving-river/  (August 2023)

YAMUNA Delhi Former Haryana govt engineer Shiv Singh Rawat on ITO Barrage: The ITO barrage was constructed in late 1960s as a deposit work of Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking to supply water to Rajghat Thermal Plant and Indraprastha Power Generation Company Ltd (IPGCL) for generation of electricity. The Delhi government paid Haryana’s irrigation department for its maintenance. However, as both plants are shut since 2019, IPGCL is not paying the maintenance charges. The barrage’s power connection was also disconnected. Since both power plants are shut, it is suggested that all 32 gates of the ITO barrage may be removed to allow free flow of Yamuna. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/hathnikund-a-barrage-not-dam-it-diverts-yamuna-water-to-canals/article67135670.ece  (29 July 2023)

FISH, FISHERIES, FISHERFOLKS

Tamil Nadu Fishers of Ennore demand their river back At around 10 am on July 26, the loud noise from a construction site inside the Kosasthalaiyar river came to a halt. The construction workers slowly walked out of the river, while the inland fishers from the villages around Ennore surrounded the construction site with their boats. It was an unusual protest, one without black flags or loud slogans. While many of the fishers stayed in their boats, a few of their representatives came down to explain the reason for their protest. Soon the construction site below the Ennore Creek Bridge was packed with hundreds of police personnel.

– The protest by the fishers is against the ongoing move by the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation (Tantransco) has decided to install a power transmission tower inside the Ennore Creek Backwaters area of the Kosasthalaiyar River. The fishers allege that Tantransco has also dumped the construction debris to lay an approach road from a point below the Ennore Creek Bridge towards to point inside the river where the transmission tower is to be installed. Raising their concerns about how the installation of a transmission tower and dumping construction debris in the river will affect the river as well as their livelihood, the fishers of eight villages in the region staged a protest.

– With much evidence on paper about the violations and the repeated plea by the fishers, the question remains if the government will wake up to their very real concerns and prevent damage to the river, their lives and livelihood. https://chennai.citizenmatters.in/ennore-fishers-protest-transmission-towers-kosasthalaiyar-river-backwaters-tneb-chennai-79995  (31 July 2023)

NGT notice to govt over ‘incomplete’ draft CZMP maps The southern bench of NGT has issued notice to the state government over the alleged incomplete draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) maps for which public hearing has been called in all the coastal districts starting August 18. Two fishermen leaders – Jesu Rethinam from Nagapattinam and K Saravanan from Chennai – have petitioned the NGT challenging the CZMP maps and sought interim injunction on scheduled public hearing saying the maps don’t have even fundamental components like fishing zones in the waterbodies and fishing village boundaries, breeding and spawning grounds of fish, common properties of the fishermen communities, detailed plans for long-term housing needs of coastal fisher communities. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2023/aug/06/ngt-notice-to-govt-over-incomplete-draft-coastal-zone-management-plan-maps-2602443.html  (06 Aug. 2023)

SAND MINING

Veditum India Join launching of India Sand Watch an open data platform on Aug. 10, 2023. Registration link: –  https://veditum.org/iswlaunch/  

Uttar Pradesh सांसद पर अवैध खनन का आरोप एनजीटी में राजाराम सिंह नाम के याचीकर्ता की ओर से एक याचिका दाखिल कर आरोप लगाया गया है कि बृजभूषण सिंह के जरिए गोंडा जिले में  तहसील तरबगंज के मजहरत, जैतपुर, नवाबगंज,  गांव से अवैध तरीके से निकाले गए रोजाना करीब 700 ओवरलोडेड ट्रक लघु खनिज का ट्रांसपोर्टेशन और अवैध बिक्री किया जा रहा है।

-याचिका में आरोप है कि करीब 20 लाख क्यूबिक मीटर क्षेत्र में लघु खनिज का अवैध खनन किया जा रहा है, जिसका स्टोरेज होता है और बाद में अवैध तरीके से बेच दिया जाता है। इससे सरयू नदी को बड़ा नुकसान हो रहा है। वहीं, बड़ी तादाद में ओवरलोडेड ट्रक के रोजाना आवागमन से पटपड़ गंज ब्रिज और सड़क को नुकसान पहुंच रहा है। पीठ ने संयुक्त समिति से दो महीनों के भीतर जांच और कार्रवाई रिपोर्ट जमा करने का आदेश दिया है। इस मामले में राज्य प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड नोडल एजेंसी होगा।  इस मामले की अगली सुनवाई 7 नवंबर, 2023 को होगी।  https://www.downtoearth.org.in/hindistory/development/sustainable-development/mp-brij-bhushan-sharan-singh-accused-of-illegal-700-trucks-of-minor-mineral-mining-daily-ngt-constituted-inquiry-committee-90983   (3 August 2023)

URBAN WATER

Bengaluru Lake goes to waste Though BBMP has a Lakes Department – that has the exclusive responsibility to maintain and rejuvenate lakes — strangely it is the SWM department that has its fingers in the Srigandadakaval Lake pie. Though no BBMP engineer is ready to give information on the amount released for the leachate treatment plants, reliable sources told BM that funds running into more than Rs 50 crore were released for establishing leachate processing units at waste processing units. The funds were diverted for the rejuvenation of three lakes – Mallathahalli, Hosakerehalli, and Srigandadakaval.

-This correspondent visited Srigandadakaval Lake on Saturday (July 29) and found the ongoing developmental works were in progress. The lake looked like a bowl with no original water holding capacity. If the open gym, amphitheater, and two wide walking paths around the lake are any indication, it seems the BBMP SWM department gave more importance to other amenities than focusing on retaining the original water holding capacity of the lake. https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/cover-story/lake-goes-to-waste-/articleshow/102288539.cms  (1 August 2023)

Remodelling drains, STPs to get large chunk of WB grant The bulk of the loan — which will be given by the World Bank to flood-proof Bengaluru — will be spent on remodelling rajakaluves by building cement walls, the draft action plan accessed by DH shows. Other major projects that are a part of the Rs 3,000 crore grant are creating underground drainage (UGD) infrastructure in the outlying areas, constructing sluice gates in lakes, and building 9 STPs. The entire project — supervised by the Revenue Department — is funded by the World Bank through a long-term loan. While the BBMP gets Rs 2,000 crore, the remaining Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated to the BWSSB. https://www.deccanherald.com/city/bengaluru-infrastructure/remodelling-drains-stps-to-get-large-chunk-of-world-bank-grant-1243625.html  (4 August 2023)

MONSOON 2023

SANDRP Blog June July 2023: District wise rainfall in India’s SW Monsoon The total SW Monsoon 2023 rainfall till July 31, 2023, or June July 2023 rainfall was 467 mm, 4.8% above normal June July rainfall of 445.8 mm. The IMD describes the July 2023 and also the June July 2023 rainfall as normal rainfall just based on this overall national rainfall figure, that nomenclature is clearly oblivious of the spatial or temporal pattern of rainfall during the relevant months.

The rainfall has been far from normal in July 2023 or June July 2023. June 2023 ended with 10.1% deficit rainfall. Similarly, June 2022 had ended with 8% deficit in rainfall. Both June 2022 and June 2023 had very large number of high rainfall days at 462 and 451 respectively. https://sandrp.in/2023/08/04/june-july-2023-district-wise-rainfall-in-in-indias-sw-monsoon/  (04 Aug. 2023)

Drier August, Sept likely as El Nino intensifies: IMD  “We are saying that rainfall during next couple of months is expected to be normal but on the lower side of normal and rain is expected to below normal during August. This means that there may be more rain in September. But the picture for September will be clearer next month. We are expecting El Nino conditions to intensify and at the same time there is likely to be positive Indian Ocean Dipole conditions. The atmosphere did not respond to warm ocean temperatures or El Nino conditions so far. But we may see its impact going forward,” said M Mohapatra, director general, IMD.

-IMD’s data indicates that July was marked by extreme rainfall event in different parts of the country. Incidence of heavy rain (11.56 cm to 20.45 cm) and extremely heavy rainfall (more than 20 cm) were the highest this July since 2019. There were 205 events of extremely heavy rain and 1113 events of heavy rainfall last month. There were several events of exceptionally heavy rain (over 25 cm and nearing historical record) last month. For example, Chandigarh recorded 30 cm rain on July 9; Sutrapada in Saurashtra recorded 54 cm on July 18; Laxmidevipeta in Telangana recorded 65 cm on July 27; Raigad in Konkan recorded 40 cm on July 20 . Several stations including Chandigarh and Ambala saw records in July. Delhi’s Safdarjung also recorded the third highest rainfall for a 24 hour period on July 8 to 9, 15.3cm. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/drier-august-september-likely-as-el-nino-intensifies-imd-101690829510356.html  (1 August 2023)

According to data by the IMD, the city recorded 217mm of rainfall between July 1 and 31. The normal for the month is 175.4. In July last year, Gurgaon had recorded surplus rains of 19% (208mm). Across the state, Kurukshetra recorded the maximum rain surplus of 276%, receiving 521.1mm of rainfall. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/a-year-of-excesses-july-too-records-surplus-rains/articleshow/102294111.cms  (1 August 2023)

IMD

High Rainfall districts on Aug 7, 2023: 50-100 mm: Papum Pare (Arunachal Pradesh), Kokrajhar (Assam), E Garo Hills, SW Garo Hills, SW Khasi Hills, W Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya), Mon, Wokha (Nagaland), Champhai, Lawngtlai, Saha, Serchhip (Mizoram), Gomati, Khowai (Tripura), Kochbihar (WB), Muzaffarpur (Bihar), Ayodhya, Barabanki, Gonda (E UP), Bilaspur (HP), Samba (J&K) [21]

100-150 mm: E Khasi Hills, South Garo Hills (Meghalaya), Sipahijala, S Tripura, W Tripura (Tripura) [5]

High Rainfall districts on Aug 6, 2023: –50-100 mm: Upper Siang (Arunachal Pradesh), E Khasi Hills, SW Khasi Hills (Meghalaya), Lawngtlai, Serchhip (Mizoram), Niwari (E MP) [6]

High Rainfall districts on Aug 5, 2023: 50-100 mm: Lower Dibang Valley (Arunachal Pradesh), E Khasi Hills (Meghalaya), Phek (Nagaland), Kochbihar (WB), Faridabad (Haryana), Chandigarh (UT), S Delhi (Delhi), Bhind (W MP), Chhattarpur (E MP) [9]

High Rainfall districts on Aug 4, 2023: 50-100 mm: Nalbari, Udalguri (Assam), E Khasi Hills (Meghalaya), S Tripura (Tripura), Banda (E UP), Bijnor, Etah, Firozabad, Hamirpur, Jhansi, Kasganj, Moradabad, Sambhal (W UP), Bageshwar (UKD), Ashoknagar, Bhind, Narmdapuram, Raisen (W MP), Anuppur, Balaghat, Chhattarpur, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, Katni, Mandla, Sagar, Sioni, Shahadol, Tikamgarh, Umaria (E MP) [30]

100-150 mm: Lalitpur (W UP), Datia (W MP), Damoh, Dindori, Narashimapura, Niwari, Panna (E MP) [7]

High Rainfall districts on Aug 3, 2023: 50-100 mm: East Siang, Lohit (Arunachal Pradesh), Peren (Nagaland), S Tripura (Tripura), Angul, Balangir, Bargarh, Bauda, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Subarnapur (Odisha), Khunti (Jharkhand), Chitrakoot (E UP), Samba (J&K), Dindori, Niwari, Rewa, Satna, Sidhi, Singrauli, Umaria (E MP), Baloda Bazar, Bemetara, Bilaspur, Durg, Janjgir Champa, Jaspur, Kabirdham, Korba, Korea, Mahasamund, Raipur, Surguja (CG) [33]

100-150 mm: Sundargarh (Odisha), Simdega (Jharkhand), Anuppur, Damoh, Jabalpur, Katni, Mandla, Panna, Shahdol (E UP), Mungeli, Raigarh, Surajpur (CG) [12]

High Rainfall districts on Aug 2, 2023: 50-100 mm: W Sikkim (Sikkim), Darjeeling, Bankura, E Medinipur, Kolkata, S 24 Parganas (WB), Bhadrak, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Jajapur, Jarsughoda, Kalahandi, Nuaparha, Raygarha (Odisha), Saraikela, W Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Bageshwar, Champawat (UKD), Jabalpur, Mandla, Shahadol, Umaria (E MP), Balarampur, Mahasamund (CG) [24]

100-150 mm: Howrah (WB), Angul, Balangir, Baleshwar, Bargarh, Kandhmal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sambalpur (Odisha) [9]

200-250 mm: Bauda, Subarnapur (Odisha) [2]

High Rainfall districts on Aug 1, 2023: 50-100 mm: Bankura (WB), Bhadrak, Cuttack, Khordha, Puri (Odisha), Saraikela, Simdega (Jharkhand), Ratnagiri (Konkan) [8]

High Rainfall districts on July 31, 2023: –50-100 mm: N and Middle Andaman (UT), Gomati (Tripura) [2] Source: IMD’s daily district wise rainfall page.

FLOOD 2023

Report Better predictions on hydrological lines required “We are walking blind into a crisis, overlooking the toll that forest degradation and large infrastructure projects— hydropower, highways, and hotels—are taking on the fragile Himalayan region. We are not assessing the carrying capacity of rivers, which is why floods are taking us by surprise. IMD’s weather forecasts are not actionable and we need better predictions on hydrological lines (like how much water a river might be carrying into downstream areas following heavy rains),” said Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator at the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, a research and advocacy group. “When it comes to predicting climate shocks, the past is no longer going to be a guide to the future,” Thakkar warned. (Link behind paywall)  https://www.livemint.com/news/india/how-rice-is-caught-between-a-delugeandadeficit-11690821953804.html  (31 July 2023)

Flooding caused greatest economic damages in Asia in 2022: WMO Apart from climatic factors, flooding is also made worse by landscaping decisions, said Mohanty. “When natural and inland drainage systems are blocked, floods tend to intensify. This is a complex and compounding problem in which climate change plays a role, but so does unsustainable landscape planning,” he explained. https://india.mongabay.com/2023/08/flooding-caused-greatest-economic-damages-in-asia-in-2022-says-wmo-report/  (2 August 2023)

Study Deforestation led to frequent & extreme flooding While it’s widely thought that loss of forest cover is strongly linked to increased flooding, most studies have suggested that the impact is limited to smaller floods. But the study, focused on two snow-dominated regions in British Columbia, the Deadman River and Joe Ross Creek watersheds, argues otherwise. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-clearcut-frequent-extreme.amp  (August 2023)

Himachal Pradesh HC’s notice to AG over road, tunnel construction work While passing this order, a division bench comprising the Chief Justice M.S Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel observed that “the recent heavy rains in the state have had serious impact on the national highways and there has been considerable damage to the highways on account of landslides and soil erosion, particularly on the Chandigarh-Shimla NH and the Chandigarh-Manali NH. There has been considerable disruption in normal life because of the blockage of roads and the national highways.”

-Expressing serious concern on the issue of unplanned excavation of mountains/hill slopes and poorly executed works of construction of roads and tunnels in the state, the HP High Court has issued notice to the Attorney General of India. It further directed the parties to supply a full set of documents to the Deputy Solicitor General of India within three days and listed the matter for further hearing on August 21. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/notice-to-ag-over-road-tunnel-construction-work-531536  (3 August 2023) इंजीनियरिंग के क्षेत्र में 45 वर्ष के अनुभव वाले इंजीनियर की शिकायत पर अदालत ने कड़ा संज्ञान लिया है। श्यामकांत धर्माधिकारी की ओर से लिखे पत्र में आरोप लगाया गया कि पहाड़ों के कटान से पर्यावरण को नुकसान हो रहा है। https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/himachal-news-himachal-pradesh-high-court-notice-to-attorney-general-2023-08-02  (3 August 2023)

48 hours that broke paradise By Sunday (July 09) afternoon, the floodgates of Pandoh dam on the Beas had to be opened, drowning not just Pandoh village but also a part of Mandi town downstream. The ancient Panchvaktra temple at Mandi was submerged. At least a dozen bridges over the Beas between Kullu and Mandi were badly damaged or washed away. Staff at the Larji hydro project ran for their lives as water entered the powerhouse.

In Kullu’s Banjar valley, the Tirthan and Sainj rivers were also in spate. The entire Sainj market and 88 houses were gone in seconds after water was released from the dam of the Parbati-III hydro project. The Parvati river stripped roads at multiple places and entered the gurdwara at Manikaran. In nearby Kasol, dozens of vehicles were seen floating away. The Kullu administration has pegged the loss of government property at Rs 780 crore.

“Kullu and Mandi have seen floods before but the loss is much more this time,” says Guman Singh, convenor of Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, a group working to protect the mountains. He says dams, mining, deforestation and encroachments have all contributed to the growing severity of floods, but the dumping of road construction waste directly into the river is the chief reason. “National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has widened the Kiratpur-Manali highway in the most unscientific manner and, what’s worse, they dumped the entire muck into the Beas.”

Sreedhar Ramamurthi, a geologist with Delhi-based Environics Trust, agrees with Singh. He says NHAI paid no heed to their appeals to stop dumping road waste in the river. Some damage could have been averted had the floodgates of the Pandoh and Sainj dams been opened before they practically spilled over, says Singh. “Despite alerts by the weather department, the dam authorities did not open the gates as the water level rose in both Beas and Sainj rivers. They opened the gates at the eleventh hour, drowning everything downstream. Sainj market was washed away and a part of Mandi town submerged due to the sudden opening of gates.”

Environmentalists blame illegal mining in the Beas, along the highway between Aut and Manali, as another major reason for the catastrophe. Manali resident Nirmal Chand says the river caused maximum damage and changed its course where illegal sand mining was rampant – “places like Aalu Ground, Kalath, Patlikuhal, Raison and Bhuntar”. Himanshu Thakkar, an environmentalist and coordinator of SANDRP says indiscriminate mining reduces the amount of water a river can carry without flooding its banks. “Illegal mining erodes the riverbed and that reduces the carrying capacity of a river.So, whenever the water level increases due to heavy rain or flash floods, the river gets easily flooded.”

What worries people most now is the spectre of another flood. “NHPC has started filling the dam and resumed power production without installing any crate walls in Sainj. If there is heavy rain or another flash flood, and the dam gates are opened, whatever is left of Sainj will also be submerged,” says Nirmala Arora, who lost her shops at Sainj in the flood. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/48-hours-that-broke-paradise/articleshow/102438846.cms  (05 Aug. 2023)

Tikender Singh Panwar:- The construction of four-lane highways in Himachal Pradesh — one from Chandigarh to Shimla and the other from Kiratpur Sahib to Manali — has triggered a debate not only about the way these highways should be built, but also about the element of criminal negligence in their construction. Should there be a criminal liability for faulty road construction? The answer is in the affirmative. The caveat of negligence in road construction is often used to shield engineers, the construction company, etc. But what if there is criminal negligence? https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/comment/prioritise-public-safety-531866  (04 Aug. 2023)

Kadam Dam Ganga & Brahmaputra models to help tame swollen Godavari The meeting also discussed recent floods at the Kadem project. “At least 70% rainfall occurs in the catchment of Kadem dam near the reservoir and flash floods occur without allowing a time buffer to operate gates. It takes at least two hours to lift all 18 gates, but during a flood, waters rise to three lakh cusecs in an hour. This is creating hurdles in flood management,” Rama Raju, consultant of the department said. He also said, the 65-year-old gates need to be replaced and suggested setting up additional vent ways to discharge 2 lakh cusecs for seamless flood management. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/ganga-brahmaputra-models-to-help-tame-swollen-godavari/articleshow/102336087.cms  (2 August 2023)

Residents lament neglect of Kadam project A technical team comprising 24 members from the Central and State departments inspected the status of the Kadam project. The team had suggested increasing the spillway, addressing cracks in pillars, and had made other recommendations in their report. However, the government has not taken serious action based on last year’s inspection report, residents point out. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2023/aug/03/residents-lament-neglect-of-kadam-project-2601441.html  (3 August 2023)

Punjab Govt identifies 100 ‘vulnerable points’ to prevent floods In the midst of the ongoing rainy season and the threat of extreme weather conditions, Punjab has identified nearly 100 “vulnerable points” that could give way and cause floods in future and is taking steps to prevent future ‘man-made’ disasters. The majority of the ‘vulnerable points’ are on dhussi bandhs (earthen embankments). The government plans to strengthen the dhussi bandhs on various rivers and rivulets; to repair spurs and dykes, and canals; and clean water channels before another spell of heavy rain lashes the state. The water levels in major dams of the region have already risen, posing a risk of doubling the floodwater from both potential rainfall and dam water release. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-identifies-100-vulnerable-points-prevent-floods-8868632/  (31 July 2023)

Sutlej reverting to its previous course For the last four days, the river had been changing its course and threatening to overflow its banks near Sabhra village. On Sunday (July 30), the swirling waters of the river was inundating land in the Mand area with speed and causing heavy losses by damaging crops and filling the fields with sand and silt. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/sutlej-reverting-to-its-previous-course-530848  (1 August 2023)

घग्घर नदी के किनारे टूटने से पंजाब-हरियाणा के दर्जनों गांव में भारी तबाही मची, लेकिन प्रशासन कोई बचाव नहीं कर पाया  https://www.downtoearth.org.in/hindistory/natural-disasters/flood/punjab-haryana-floods-when-the-government-failed-farmers-joined-forces-to-fix-the-broken-dams-91033  (07 Aug. 2023)

HFL BREACH

SANDRP Blog Rivers Breaching Highest Flood Levels in July 2023 Flood monitoring work by CWC and state government in Punjab has no record available in public domain revealing the data on flood levels in Ghaggar, Sutlej, Beas, Ravi rivers which have flooded vast areas in Punjab and parts of Haryana and Rajasthan in July 2023. Similarly, the flood monitoring sites are inadequate in Rajasthan and Gujarat states which have witnessed extreme rainfall spells in July 2023. Disturbingly, CWC flood monitoring network does not include the biggest dams of North India, namely Bhakra, Pong and Ranjit Sagar, on Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers respectively. Bhakra Beas Management Board could be monitoring Bhakra and Pong dams, but there is no information available on BBMB sites about the water levels, water inflows and out flows from these dams. This is yet another major gap in flood forecasting by CWC. https://sandrp.in/2023/08/03/rivers-breaching-highest-flood-levels-in-july-2023/  (03 Aug. 2023)

Madhya Pradesh 1 River Narmada at Gorakhpur site in Dindori district has crossed old HFL 743.33 meter dated 14.09.2022 and has set  745.75 meter as new HFL on  03.08.2023.

2 River Narmada at Silgi Kotrai site in Dindori district has crossed old HfL 514.29 meter dated 23.08.2022 and has attained 514.98 meter as new HFL on 03.08.2023.

3 River Narmada at Belkund at Ghughra site in Jabalpur district has crossed old HFL 379.28 meter dated 22.08.2022 and has set 379.74 meter as new HFL on 03.08.2023.

4 River Gour at Bhalawara site in Jabalpur district has breached old HFL 393.42 meter dated 22.08.2022 and has set 394.21 meter as new HFL on 03.08.2023.

5. River Hiran at Singaldeep has crossed old HFL 363.3 meter dated 22.08.2022 and continues to flow in extreme flood situation. Present flood level is 365.88 meter at 14:00 hour on 04.08.2023.

6. Also river Narmada at Mandla level forecast site in Mandla district has missed breaching HFL 439.405 meter dated 15.07.1974. by 0.205 meter.

URBAN FLOODS

Delhi Najafgarh drain inundates villages While thousands of city residents suffered due to the floods this year, a few villages in Delhi and adjoining Haryana regularly get deluged with sewage and water from the Sahibi river or Najafgarh drain.

Villages in South-West district, including Rawta which was recently adopted by the lieutenant governor and has a small population of 5,000, have remained inundated for years cutting off the residents from their main source of earning – agriculture. With their fields submerged in water and paths connecting their fields destroyed, several people are even renting out their inundated holdings to migrant residents for fish breeding. The villagers believe that heavy silting of the Najafgarh drain and sewage released from Haryana are the cause of their woes. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/this-village-doesnt-need-rain-najafgarh-drain-inundates-it-with-water-and-sewage/articleshow/102462104.cms  (06 Aug. 2023)

DROUGHT

Drought intensifies in several states of north India and northeast India! https://indiadroughtmonitor.in/#/standardized-precipitation-index  (02 Aug. 2023)

Karnataka Govt asks farmers to stop sowing paddy This seems a bit alarmist response from the Karnataka govt, asking farmers, particularly in Cauvery basin to stop further sowing, particularly paddy and saying there is crisis. The Malnad region, the Cauvery catchment has seen 29% rainfall deficit so far as KRS reservoir is already filled to 71% capacity. There are still almost two months of SW monsoon, to be followed by NE Monsoon in this region. So the response seems a bit alarmist. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/rain-deficit-crisis-hit-karnataka-government-asks-farmers-to-stop-sowing-1244126.html  (05 Aug. 2023)

Bihar City faces drought-like situation again, farmers prepare to migrate for work In the two months of the current monsoon season, Bihar has recorded a nearly 48 per cent rainfall deficit, according to the IMD. From June 1 to July 31, 2023, the state received 263.2 millimetres of rainfall, whereas normally it receives 503.8 mm of rainfall.  The worst-hit is Sitamarhi district, which has received 82 per cent less rainfall than normal. Sehore saw a deficit of 74 per cent, 62 per cent in Saran, 70 per cent in Purba Champaran, 68 per cent in Saharsa and 62 per cent in Begursarai.   https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/bihar-faces-drought-like-situation-again-farmers-prepare-to-migrate-for-work-84847  (3 August 2023)

Uttar Pradesh बुंदेलखंड मं सूखे की आहट केंद्र सरकार तक पहुंच गई है। केंद्र ने प्रदेश सरकार से सूखा न्यूनीकरण योजना प्रबंधन के तहत प्रस्ताव मांगे हैं। बांदा सहित बुंदेलखंड क्षेत्र के जिलों में कम बारिश होने की वजह से जो हालात बने हुए हैं, उसको देखते हुए प्रदेश सरकार ने जिलाधिकारी व मुख्य विकास अधिकारी को यह रिपोर्ट जल्द भेजने के निर्देश दिए हैं। प्रदेश सरकार के द्वारा यह रिपोर्ट केंद्र सरकार को भेजी जाएगी। इसके साथ ही केंद्र ने पांच साल के लिए 20 से 30 करोड़ रुपये के प्रोजेक्ट तैयार करने को भी कहा है। पिछले कई दशकों से लगातार बुंदेलखंड में औसत से कम बारिश होने की स्थिति बनी रहती है। इस साल भी चित्रकूटधाम मंडल में जुलाई माह तक मात्र 113.84 मिलीमीटर बारिश हुई, जिससे यहां की स्थिति अच्छी नहीं रही है। धान की फसल की रोपाई भी पूरी नहीं हो पाई। जिन किसानों ने रोपाई की है, उनकी फसलें भी मुर्झाने लगी हैं। कई किसान आनन-फानन में नलकूपों की बोरिंग कराने में लगे हैं। https://www.amarujala.com/uttar-pradesh/banda/drought-alert-in-bundelkhand-government-asks-for-management-proposals-banda-news-c-212-1-bnd1001-962-2023-07-30  (30 July 2023)

CLOUD BURSTS

Uttarakhand Over 30 feared dead after cloud burst, landslide The death toll in the Gaurikund cloudburst and landslide disaster is expected to rise to over 30. State government sources have released a list of 10 more people missing and confirmed a total of 23 missing, while more than 10 members of the Nepali-origin community are also reported missing, apart from the government figures. Locals are calling it a disaster reminiscent of the Kedarnath tragedy of 2013. https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2023/aug/05/over-30-feared-dead-33-missing-after-cloudburst-and-landslide-in-uttarakhands-gaurikund-2602349.html  (05 Aug. 2023)

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, 35 people have died and 31 have been injured due to natural calamities in the state since June 15. At least 43 people have lost their lives and 149 have been injured in road accidents during the rains. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/governance/three-dead-17-missing-in-uttarakhand-s-gaurikund-landslide-questions-raised-again-on-disaster-management-91024  (06 Aug. 2023)   

दशोली ब्लाक के स्यूंण गांव के मज्जू लगा ग्वाड़ में शनिवार (Aug. 05) रात बादल फटने से ग्रामीणों की 100 नाली जमीन पर धान की पूरी फसल बर्बाद हो गई है। साथ ही मलवा से दो गौशालाओं को भी नुकसान पहुंचा है। वहीं भारी बारिश होने से लुदांऊ गदेरे पर बना अस्थाई लकड़ी का पुल भी बह गया है। जिससे लुदांऊ और स्यूंण गांव की आवाजाही पूरी तरह बंद हो गई है। जिससे स्कूली छात्रों को विद्यालय पहुंचना मुश्किल बना हुआ है, वहीं गांव के 150 परिवारों की लाइफ लाइन ध्वस्त होने से मूलभूत सुविधाओं के लिए भी परेशानियां खड़ी हो गई है। https://pahadraftar.com/peepalkoti-due-to-cloudburst-in-majju-laga-gwad-of-syun-village-hundreds-of-drain-land-and-cash-crops-were-destroyed-the-bridge-built-on-ludau-gadre-washed-away-movement-stopped/   (06 Aug. 2023)

टिहरी जिले के तहसील धनोल्टी के ग्राम मरोड़ा में रात्रि में हुई बारिश से एक घर की दीवार टूट गई। इस दौरान अंदर सो रहे दो बच्चों की मलबे के ढेर में दबने से  दर्दनाक मौत हो गई। https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-weather-house-wall-broke-due-to-rain-two-children-died-due-to-being-buried-under-debris-in-tehri-2023-08-06 ; https://mirroruttarakhand.com/news-uttarakhand-tehri-two-kids-died-due-to-cloud-burst/  (06 Aug. 2023)

उत्तरकाशी में शुक्रवार (July 21) की रात को कई स्थानों पर अतिवृष्टि और बादल फटने की घटनाएं सामने आई हैं। तहसील पुरोला, तहसील बडकोट और उप तहसील धौंतरी क्षेत्र में अतिवृष्टि होने से सड़क, रास्ते, पैदल पुलिया, खेत-खलियान और मकान दुकानों को नुकसान पहुंचा है। रात करीब ढाई और तीन बजे के बीच जनपद पुरोला, बडकोट के नंदगांव और उप तहसील धौंतरी क्षेत्र में बादल फटने व अतिवृष्टि होने की सूचना मिली।

बड़कोट तहसील के गंगनानी में भूस्खलन का मलबा आने के कारण एक टूरिस्ट रिजॉर्ट के कुछ कॉटेज क्षतिग्रस्त हुए हैं। कैम्प निर्वाणा नामक एक रिजोर्ट को नुकसान हुआ है। यहां पर कुछ टेंट काटेज एवं वाहन मलबे की चपेट में आए हैं। कस्तूरबा गांधी बालिका आवासीय विद्यालय के परिसर में भी मलबा घुसा है। विद्यालय में रात के समय अफरातफरी का माहौल रहा है। विद्यालय में रह रही छात्राएं काफी घबरा गई थी। विद्यालय की सभी छात्राएं सुरक्षित हैं।

इसके साथ ही बड़कोट और गंगनानी के बीच कई स्थानों पर यमुनोत्री राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग अवरुद्ध है। पुरोला के छाड़ा खड्ड में भी बादल फटने के कारण भूस्खलन हुआ है। भूमि कटाव और कुछ घरों और दुकानों में मलबा घुस गया।  https://www.jagran.com/uttarakhand/uttarkashi-uttarkashi-cloud-burst-in-many-place-in-one-night-23478765.html  (22 July 2023)

बीते रात (July 21) पुरोला क्षेत्र के अकरु जंगल में बादल फटने के कारण छाड़ा खड्ड, कमल नदी, माल गाड़ सहित अन्य गदेरे अचानक उफान पर आ गए। इसके चलते खेतों, सेब के बगीचों को भारी नुकसान पहुंचा है। वहीं नगर क्षेत्र में कई घरों पानी और मलबा घुस गया। कई लोगों ने घरों से भाग कर अपनी जान बचाई। नहरें, सड़क और पुल क्षतिग्रस्त हो गए। गाड़ियां व मोटर साइकिल बह गए। प्रदेशभर में बारिश से नुकसान हुआ है।

धनारी क्षेत्र में धनपति नदी के उफान पर आने के कारण देवीधार में मोक्ष घाट बह गया। तो वहीं बड़कोट के गंगनानी में भारी मलबा आने के कारण 19 घरों और दुकानों सहित कस्तूरबा गांधी आवासीय विद्यालय में घुसा। उधर, टिहरी के घनसाली में भी मलबा आने से बारिश के कारण 14 मकानों को खतरा पैदा हो गया है। थौलधार ब्लाक के चापड़ा गांव में एक आवासीय मकान ढह गया। गनीमत यह रही कि उस वक्त घर में कोई नहीं था। पीड़ित के घर का अधिकतर सामान मलबे में दब गया।  https://www.amarujala.com/dehradun/uttarakhand-weather-update-heavy-rain-alert-mussoorie-cloudburst-today-traffic-jam-news-in-hindi-2023-07-22  (22 July 2023)

Chamoli joshimath में बादल फटने से पैदल मार्ग में भारी नुकसान की जानकारी ग्रामीणों ने प्रशासन को दी। https://khabaruttarakhand.com/cloud-burst-in-chamolis-joshimath-footpath-badly-damaged/  (26 June 2023)

Himachal Pradesh कुल्लू जिले में शुक्रवार (Aug. 04) शाम को खनेरनाला में बादल फटने से खनाग-जुहड़ व टकरासी सड़क का करीब 60 मीटर हिस्सा बह गया है। https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/himachal-weather-update-cloudburst-in-khaner-nullak-kullu-himachal-pradesh-2023-08-05  (05 Aug. 2023)

DISASTERS

Ladakh Three new Glacial lakes are in the process of forming due to retreat of Parkachik glacier in Suru Valley in Ladakh. These could lead to floods when the lakes burst. The glacier has been retreating at the rate of 2 m per year from 1971 to 1999, at the rate of 12 m per year from 1999 to 2021 and at the rate of 20.5 m during 2015-2021. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/j-k/3-new-lakes-forming-in-ladakh-can-cause-floods-claims-study-530305  (30 July 2023)

LANDSLIDES

Report Absence of EWS for landslides Many countries across the world have tasted success with landslide forecast systems. But a late start and inadequate funds have hobbled the efforts of Indian scientists. https://themorningcontext.com/chaos/why-india-is-years-away-from-building-a-robust-landslide-forecast-system  (29 July 2023)

Himachal Pradesh Shimla-Chandigarh NH blocked again A single-lane road was restored for light vehicles after almost nine hours but later the road was closed as land started sliding due to rain. Meanwhile, a building and two vehicles were also damaged in a landslide that occurred in Dhalli in the suburbs of Shimla city on Wednesday (Aug. 02).

-Rain-related incidents like flash floods, cloud bursts and landslides and road accidents have so far claimed 197 lives while 31 are missing since the onset of monsoon on June 24, till date, according to the state emergency operation centre. About 300 roads are still closed for traffic in the state as landslides triggered by rains and flash floods have wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh. The PWD has suffered losses to the tune of over Rs 2,000 crore. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/shimla-chandigarh-national-highway-blocked-again-after-landslide-531423  (3 August 2023)

In Solan a devastating landslide occurred near Parwanoo, which led to the washing away of approximately 40 meters of the Chandigarh-Shimla NH-5 highway. The incident resulted in major disruptions to the traffic and transportation along the route.   https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/solan-himachal-pradesh-40-meters-highway-washed-away-after-landslide-in-chandigarh-shimla-nh-5-near-parwanoo/videoshow/102343591.cms  (2 August 2023) https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/chandigarh-shimla-nation-highway-to-remain-closed-for-2-days-minister-vikramaditya-singh-531719  (3 August 2023)

-कालका-शिमला नेशनल हाईवे-5 दूसरे दिन भी बंद रहा। वीरवार (Aug. 03) सुबह करीब 8:00 बजे चक्कीमोड़ में फिर से भूस्खलन हो गया। अब करीब 10 मीटर का सड़क का हिस्सा और क्षतिग्रस्त हो गया है। ऐसे में 50 मीटर सड़क पूरी तरह से ढह गई है। वहीं सड़क पर दरारें पड़ती जा रही हैं। हालत यह है कि यहां से पैदल चलना भी खतरे से खाली नहीं हैं। https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/kalka-shimla-national-highway-5-will-remain-closed-for-two-days-traffic-diverted-2023-08-03  (03 Aug. 2023)

हालांकि दोबारा से मलबा हटाने का काम फिर शुरू कर दिया है। प्रशासन ने शनिवार (Aug. 5) शाम तक हाईवे से छोटे वाहनों की आवाजाही का दावा किया था। शनिवार (Aug. 05) दोपहर 12:45 बजे भूस्खलन के बाद अब फिर मार्ग नहीं खुल पाएगा।  पहाड़ी दरकने से एचटी लाइन और कालका-शिमला विश्व धरोहर रेल लाइन को भी खतरा पैदा हो गया है। चक्कीमोड़ में जिस जगह सड़क पर मलबा आ रहा है उसके आधे किलोमीटर दायरे में पहाड़ी पर बड़ी दरार पड़ी हैं। इस कारण यहां पर आगामी दिनों में भी खतरा बरकरार है। यदि यह मलबा भी सड़क पर आ जाता है तो आधा किलोमीटर का क्षेत्र क्षतिग्रस्त होने के कगार पर पहुंच जाएगा। https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/kalka-shimla-national-highway-five-restoration-work-on-progress-weather-creates-obstacles-2023-08-05  (07 Aug. 2023)

कालका-शिमला नेशनल हाईवे पांच पर चक्कीमोड़ के समीप हालात फिर खराब हो गए हैं। सोमवार (Aug. 7) सुबह 07:25 बजे हुई मूसलाधार बारिश के बाद से लगातार पहाड़ी से पत्थर और मलबा गिरता जा रहा है। https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/kalka-shimla-national-highway-five-landslide-on-road-amid-heavy-rain-2023-08-07  (07 Aug. 2023)

प्रदेश में फोरलेन बनाने के लिए अब 90 डिग्री पर पहाड़ों की कटाई नहीं की जाएगी। इसके लिए राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग प्राधिकरण ने मापदंड बदलने का फैसला लिया है। इससे पहाड़ों को अधिक नुकसान नहीं होगा। मापदंड में बदलाव करने के लिए जल्द ही तकनीकी टीम भी पहाड़ों का मुआयना करेगी। इसके बाद सड़क निर्माण में पहाड़ियों की कटिंग यदि गुंजाइश होगी तो ही की जाएगी।

इससे पहाड़ सुरक्षित रहेंगे और अधिक नहीं दरकेंगे। इसके साथ-साथ फोरलेन निर्माण करने के लिए एक्सपर्ट समेत भू-विशेषज्ञों की भी राय ली जाएगी। इसके बाद ही ड्राइंग तैयार की जाएगी। यह फैसला राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग प्राधिकरण के सबसे पहले फोरलेन प्रोजेक्ट परवाणू-सोलन में दरकती हुई पहाड़ियों को देखते हुए लिया है। वहीं इस प्रोजेक्ट में अब एक्सपर्ट की राय लेने के बाद नई तकनीक को अपनाकर दरकते पहाड़ों को भी टिकाया जाएगा।

गौरतलब है कि कालका-शिमला नेशनल हाईवे पांच पर परवाणू से सोलन तक पहले चरण में फोरलेन का निर्माण पूरा हो चुका है। इस सड़क पर बहुत जगह 90 डिग्री की कटिंग अब आफत बन गई है। इसके अलावा जहां पहाड़ को इससे कुछ कम कोण पर काटे गया है वो भी भरभरा रहे हैं। ऐसे में अब लगातार परवाणू से सोलन की बीच भूस्खलन हो रहा है। गर्मी या फिर बरसात का मौसम पहाड़ियों से भूस्खलन हो रहा है। परवाणू से सोलन तक फोरलेन से चालकों को मुसीबत का सामना कर करना पड़ रहा है। https://www.amarujala.com/shimla/national-highways-authority-of-india-mountains-will-not-be-cut-in-90-degree-for-fourlane-road-2023-08-06  (06 Aug. 2023)

With the district administration yet to take a decision on removing the debris of damaged houses in the Shamti area of Solan, people living in buildings close by fear that a few damaged houses could collapse on their dwellings.

A number of houses were damaged after a 500-m hill eroded and the slush inundated houses lying below it following a heavy downpour earlier last month. Several damaged houses hang precariously over other houses lying below them. A newly constructed multi-storey house atop the affected hill had tilted forward after its base had eroded. Since it is located on the top of the hill, its debris can damage the houses lying right below it.

The woes of the residents are aggravated with no water being supplied by the Jal Shakti Vibhag for the past three weeks. “Residents are forced to purchase water every day to meet their domestic needs. I have been spending Rs 500 on it every other day,” said Jung. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/himachal/damaged-houses-in-shamti-area-giving-residents-sleepless-nights-531917  (04 Aug. 2023)

Uttarakhand Major landslide on Kedarnath yatra route According to an official of the Rudraprayag disaster management, 10 to 12 people are feared to be buried or washed away in the landslide. Three shops are reported to have been damaged due to the landslide after heavy torrential rains near the Gaurikund post bridge last night (Aug. 3.4). https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/major-landslide-near-uttarakhands-gaurikund-many-feared-buried-101691111888579.html  (4 August 2023)

70m of Badrinath highway washed away in heavy rains A 70 m stretch of the Gauchar-Badrinath highway at Kameda was washed away due to overnight heavy rainfall on Monday (July 24), disrupting traffic movement. Approximately 1,000 individuals, mostly pilgrims to Badrinath shrine, are stuck at different locations. Meanwhile, the Yamunotri national highway also remained blocked for the third consecutive day on Monday (July 24). Ongoing heavy rains have led to the continuous falling of boulders at several locations. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/70m-of-badrinath-highway-washed-away-in-heavy-rains/articleshow/102096661.cms  (25 July 2023)

Cracks now in homes 90 Km from Doon Fresh cracks and incidents of sinking have been reported in over two dozen houses at Khamroli village and surrounding areas of Kalsi block in Dehradun district. It’s 90km from the state capital. Locals on Thursday (Aug. 03) said several houses in Khamroli village had developed cracks in the past, which have widened this monsoon season.

-Besides, incidents of subsidence are being noticed in Pajitilani, Tipau and Sahiya-Patan where large cracks have appeared on the roads. People claimed that road-cutting work earlier to construct a stretch between Pajitilani and Chibau-Khamroli under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) had resulted in cracks in Khamroli.

-Sunil Kumar, executive engineer, PMGSY, told TOI, “There is a problem of subsidence there and it needs a thorough geological investigation.” Kumar said PMGSY has prepared a budget estimate to repair roads that are witnessing subsidence in Kalsi. “The situation is worse in Khamroli, Tipau, Pajitilani and Patan,” he said. Kalsi SDM Yukta Mishra said: “PWD and PMGSY are supposed to hold a geological survey and ascertain the cause of subsidence”. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/after-joshimath-cracks-now-in-homes-90km-from-doon/articleshow/102403813.cms  (4 August 2023)

Arunachal Pradesh A very lucky escape in a debris flow in Arunachal Pradesh, northern India The event occurred in the Ribi Korong area on the road between Pashighat and Yingkiong on Friday 28 July 2023. One passenger escaped just as the debris flow struck the car, and fled to the near side of the channel.  The driver and another passenger were in the vehicle when it was struck. This event continues the pattern of landslides and flooding that is occurring in many locations at the moment.  https://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2023/08/03/arunachal-pradesh-1/  (3 August 2023)

CLIMATE CHANGE

Report Something strange is happening in the Pacific Unexpectedly, the eastern Pacific Ocean is cooling. If this “cold tongue” continues, it could reduce greenhouse gas warming by 30 per cent – but also bring megadrought to the US. Stretching west from the coast of Ecuador in Pacific Ocean for thousands of kilometres lies a tentacle of water that has been cooling for the past 30 years. Why is this swathe of the eastern Pacific defying our predictions? Welcome to the mystery of the cold tongue. (Behind Paywall) https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25934500-100-something-strange-is-happening-in-the-pacific-and-we-must-find-out-why/  (1 August 2023)

How to stop rice fields producing so much methane Rice production accounts for about 10% of global methane emissions and is responsible for as much as 15% of all emissions in some south-east Asian countries. In Vietnam, for example, growing rice emits more greenhouse gases than the entire transport sector.

– A relative solution is to drain the fields a few times per season and allow the soil to replenish its oxygen. This suppresses the methane-producing bacteria in the soil, allowing the more climate-friendly bacteria to take over again. Draining and reflooding the fields three or four times during the growing season can reduce methane emissions by at least 50%. And it does this without a significant impact on yields.

– In one project certified by Gold Standard, about 250 groups of farmers working 16,250 hectares of fields in the Indian state of Maharashtra are switching to AWD techniques to generate carbon credits. The project has the added benefit of reducing water use and adapting to future climate change risks while providing income to the participating groups. Each year, the project is estimated to offset about the equivalent of 60,000 tons of carbon dioxide — roughly what humanity emits in a minute from burning fossil fuels. https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/07/01/23/how-to-stop-rice-fields-producing-so-much-methane  (1 July 2023)

SOUTH ASIA

IWT Dynamics of technological knowhow, climate change & socio-economic parameters Under the Indus Water Treaty, by ignoring the provision of sound and economical design and satisfactory construction and operation of works’, India is being forced to construct dams for hydroelectric projects with overflow spillways, which result in reservoirs getting filled with sediments in a few years after commissioning of the project, resulting in severe wear and tear of the underwater parts of generating units and causing operation and maintenance problems. Dam of Salal Hydroelectric Project (690 MW) on the River Chenab is already filled up with sediments almost up to top of the dam. Similarly, Dam of Baglihar Hydroelectricz Project (900 MW in Stage I & II) located on River Chenab has suffered the same fate with filling up of the reservoir almost up to the top. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/indus-water-treaty-dynamics-of-technological-knowhow-climate-change-and-socio-economic-parameters-since-1960/  (1 August 2023)

THE REST OF THE WORLD

USA Work begins on the largest dam removal project The largest dam removal project in United States history is underway along the California-Oregon border — a process that won’t conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives. But in some ways, removing the dams is the easy part. The hard part will come over the next decade as workers, partnering with Native American tribes, plant and monitor nearly 17 billion seeds as they try to restore the Klamath River and the surrounding land to what it looked like before the dams started to go up more than a century ago.

– When demolition is completed by the end of next year, more than 644 kms of river will have opened for threatened species of fish and other wildlife. By comparison, the 65 dams removed in the U.S. last year combined to reconnect 692 kms of river. The water level in the lakes will drop between 3 feet and 5 feet (1 meter to 1.5 meters) per day over the first few months of next year. Crews will follow that water line, taking advantage of the moisture in the soil to plant seeds from more than 98 native plant species including wooly sunflower, Idaho fescue and Blue bunch wheat grass.

– “The river is our church, the salmon is our cross. That’s how it relates to the people. So it’s very sacred to us,” said Kenneth Brink, vice chairman of the Karuk Tribe. “The river is not just a place we go to swim. It’s life. It creates everything for our people.” “When the river gets to flow freely again, the people can also begin to worship freely again,” he said.

– “It’s a wonderful marriage of tribal traditional ecological knowledge and western science,” said Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, the nonprofit entity created to oversee the project. https://apnews.com/article/klamath-dams-removal-tribes-restoration-seeds-1bffbd1c351992f0f164d81d92a81b47 (31 July 2023)

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

Also see: DRP News Bulletin 31 July 2023 & DRP News Bulletin 24 July 2023  

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