a case study disaster management of kedarnath tragedy 2013

Kedarnath Flood Story

If we talk about Kedarnath Flood Story, then what comes to mind first are disaster and tragedy. Because Kedarnath town in Uttarakhand was the most affected area during the 2013 flash floods in North India.

The Kedarnath Temple complex, surrounding areas, and Kedarnath town suffered vast damage. But the temple structure did not suffer any “major” damage.

Apart from a few cracks on one side of the four walls which were caused by the flowing debris from the higher mountains.

During the disaster, a huge rock among the flood, mud, and debris worked as a barrier. And it protected the temple from extensive damage.

The surroundings of the Kedarnath Temple for example – buildings, hotels, and market areas were vanished away in the flood and damaged heavily.

Kedarnath Flood Story & Dhari Devi Mandir

“One of the reasons which were given by the priests was Lifting of Dhaari Devi Temple”. Even local people believed in this side of the story.

The priests believe that any god which was established in Garhwal, Uttarakhand is considered to be in the purest of its form. And it should not be displaced.

But the govt destroyed the forests and shifted the place of Sacred Dhaari Devi Temple.

Dhari Devi was supposed to control nature’s anger. This step was opposed by the priests and localities. But the authorities ultimately shifted the place of Dhari Devi Temple and constructed a dam on its site.

Read Stories about Kedarnath

• Ked arnath Flood Story
• Ked arnath Jyotirlinga Story
• Ked arnath Shivling Story
• Rudra Meditation Cave in Kedarna th

Kedarnath Flood 2013 – Case Study

In the month of June 2013, the region suffered its worst disaster in its living memory with widespread destruction. Coincidently, the disaster took place during the peak season of tourism and pilgrimage in the Chota Char Dham Yatra. Hence, increasing the number of victims with an unfavorable impact on immediate rescue and relief operations.

The entire region of the state was hit by ‘heavy’ to ‘very heavy’ rainfall. Resulting in flash floods and landslides over a wide area.

Uttarakhand and nearby areas experienced heavy rainfall. According to data, it was about 375 percent more than the benchmark rainfall during a normal monsoon.

Kedarnath Flood Real Photo

Unnecessary overcrowding in the name of tourism and devotion was just adding pressure to Kedarnath.

Kedarnath is surrounded by snowy mountains and two holy rivers called Mandakini and Saraswati.

Story Behind Kedarnath Flood

The disastrous Kedarnath Flood wreaked great havoc in the Kedarnath Valley and the other parts of Uttarakhand.

The flash flood was triggered by heavy rain and a cloudburst on the massive glacial lake. However, the Kedarnath Temple is built on the bank of Mandakini and the mythological Saraswati river was not damaged.

Tremendous cloudbursts were the prime reason for this Kedarnath Flood Tragedy. Due to its proximity to the surroundings of Chorabari Glacier, the area around the Kedarnath Temple suffered unspeakable damage.

Kedarnath Flood Reasons:

• The overflow of the Mandakini River

Cloudburst & Heavy Rain in Kedarnath

• The overflow of Chorabari Lake

Overflow of the Mandakini River

One reason is the Overflow of the Mandakini River. And this flash flood destroyed the area of Kedarnath on the 16th and 17th of June 2013 respectively.

As per the sources, Kedarnath is an area of difficult weather conditions. And so the western disturbance from the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. It carried moisture in the air while passing the Arabian Sea.

And there was also a cyclonic storm which was originated over the Bay of Bengal. And it went on till the Kedarnath and surprisingly this led to cloud formation.

Because of these two clouds, one from the Caspian Sea and the second from the Bay of Bengal attacked each other which led to massive cloudbursts.

There was also another reason behind the massive cloudburst. Kedarnath temple is built inside a massive gorge. And so on clouds got collected which ultimately became a reason for continue heavy rainfall and lead to a massive landslide.

This landslide occurred due to the overflow of the river Mandakini and Saraswati. Then the river took a disastrous form mixed with mud, bricks, and debris (dead bodies and waste) that was coming from the landslide. And this debris destroyed everything which came in between the way from Rambara to Gaurikund .

Debris created a barrier between the union of Mandakini and Saraswati which eventually diverted the route of Saraswati.

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Kedarnath Flood Full Story

Kedarnath Flood Story is based on the real tragedy of Kedarnath Valley that happened on the date of 16th and 17th of June 2013.

The incident started on the date of 16th of June 2013, at 5:15 pm. When heavy rain flooded the Saraswati River and Dudh Ganga catchment area.

Resulting in excessive flow and heavy soil erosion and landslide. The floodwater along with the gathered debris moved towards Kedarnath town.

It washed off the upper part of the city (Sankaracharya Samadi, Jalnigam guest house, Bharat Seva Sang Ashram, etc). And leading to the biggest-ever disaster witnessed in the region.

Due to heavy downpours, the town of Rambara completely vanished on the evening of 16th June.

Next Morning on 17 June 2013

On the 17th of June 2013, there was no sign of relief for victims who got stuck in the Kedarnath tragedy.

On the 17th of June, another disaster struck at 6:45 am. It was caused by the overflow and collapse of Chorabari Lake .

But at around 7:15 in the morning, the Kedarnath temple got hit by the second round of flood which came as a flash flood.

And it released a large volume of water which caused another flood in Kedarnath town. It led to heavy devastation downstream.

Where the valley was wide, the rise of the river level was of the order of 5-7m and 10-12m. And where the valley was narrow. In the upper stretches of Mandakini, the stream gradient was high and the valley profile was mostly narrow.

The gush of water was running down from Kedarnath and Rambara areas. And it brought a giant sediment load consisting of a huge rock boulder.

The heavy sediment load along with giant boulders acted as weapons of destruction. And it vanished away everything that came in between their way.

The Overflow of Chorabari Lake

When we talk about the Kedarnath flood story and reason, then one of the major reasons for the flash flood was a glacier lake. This glacier lake is Chorabari Lake which is also known as a “Killer Lake”.

Due to continuous rain and cloudbursts, the level of Chorabari Lake increased and Chorabari Lake (Gandhi Sarovar Lake) exploded naturally.

Chorabari Lake had water sources from the melting glaciers and heavy rainfall in the morning the dam closure of Chorabari Lake burst.

The flood which came down from Chorabari Lake was about 300m in height and moving at a speed of 40km/h.

The flash flood was there for less than 5 minutes according to the localities there. Everything got destroyed and destructed within minutes except the main Kedarnath temple.

Deaths in Kedarnath Disaster 2013

The districts of Bageshwar, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi were the worst affected areas. A large population in several areas was cut off across the state. And they suffered a lot due to the shortage of essential commodities.

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How many died in Kedarnath Flood?

This horrific incident was part of the 2013 North India Flood . It affected 4550 Villages and caused more than 5748 deaths. This is the government data, so the real death count could be more than 10,000 deaths.

How Kedarnath Temple Survived Flood?

The extensive volume of water-induced erosion along the river valley which turns triggered landslides at a number of places. It is worth noting though that despite the damage caused and the fear instilled by the floods.

The faith of the pilgrims was restored when they realized that most parts of Kedarnath town had undergone a deviation. What remained untouched was the Shiva temple built in the 8th century AD. A huge rock got stuck behind the Kedarnath Temple and protected it from the damage of the flood.

In this whole Kedarnath Flood Story, the most surprising incident is about Bhimshila Stone. During the flash flood, a huge boulder (rock) fell from the mountain and stood between the floods behind the main temple.

And this giant stone (now called Bhimshila) proved to be the savior of the Kedarnath Temple. And it blocked water to come inside and diverted the route of the flash flood.

The water flowed on both sides of the temple destroying everything that came in their path. Even eyewitnesses observed that one large rock got stuck to the backside of Kedarnath Temple. Thus causing obstruction to the debris, and that boulder diverted the flow of river and debris. That’s how Temple avoided any damage.

“Bhim Shila” – The Stone Behind Kedarnath Temple

The holy temple itself did not suffer any major damage. And only minor damage can be seen. It can only be called a miraculous act that a huge rock got stuck behind the temple. And it protected the temple from destructive floods. This stone is now known as Bhim Shila.

People believe that God has saved them which seems very true. And nobody knows where it came from and how every boulder was swept away except this great big boulder.

The temple unbelievably withstood the calamity, suffering only a small crack in one of its four walls.

It stood like an enormous wall and eventually saved the lives of people who were inside the temple. But sadly couldn’t save the lives of a thousand other pilgrims who were outside the temple at the time of this gigantic disaster. And the entire valley suffered a huge loss of life and property.

Kedarnath temple is made in such a way that it acts as a damage-proof device as its architecture is very well maintained. During the flash flood, Kedarnath Temple stood strong like a giant mountain.

What Experts Say About Kedarnath Flood 2013?

Despite the fact that heavy rainfall and cloudburst are major reasons for floods and landslides. But the environmentalists believe that the flash flood of 2013 in Uttarakhand was a man-made one.

“Unplanned and haphazard construction, mismanaged tourism and intensive mining in this fragile ecosystem are some of the major reasons that made to name this natural disaster partly as man-made that increased the intensity and magnitude of flood and its damages,” writes Kala.

Disasters Effect on Tourism in Uttarakhand

The study shows the relationship between natural disasters and tourism. A natural disaster is a regular phenomenon in the Himalayan states.

Uttarakhand is the most disaster-prone state of India. The State has been suffering from disasters repeatedly with a noticeable impact on the tourism industry.

The tourism industry is one of the important sources of income, prosperity, and socio-economic upliftment for the Himalayan states in India. Kedarnath shivered by the event, and tourism declined in the area after the flood tragedy in 2013.

Over the years the number of pilgrims visiting the area also rapidly increased.

In order to meet the increasing demands of religious tourism. The Uttarakhand government built an intricate network of roads, hotels, and lodges and carried out other construction activities.

However, it is also true that the unexpected timing of the rainfall and the unusual amount of it also did not leave enough time for the pilgrims to move out.

Although the temple withstood the intensity of the floods, the complex and surrounding area were destroyed. Resulting in the death of hundreds of pilgrims and locals.

Shops and hotels in Kedarnath were brutally destroyed and all roads were broken.

Many people were inside the temple at the time of the Kedarnath flood in 2013. And they took shelter inside the temple for several hours, until the Indian Army rescued them to safer places.

After that, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand announced that the Kedarnath shrine would remain closed for a year to clear the debris.

Rescue Operations in Kedarnath

The relief work was done by a combined team of the Army, Airforce, and Navy. Other than this, ITBP, BSF, NDRF, and PWD were on duty Within five days. The army had deployed about 10,000 soldiers. And the Airforce had brought in more than 45 pieces of aircraft to carry out the rescue operation.

The ITBP which guards the Indo-China border swung into action even before the army or the Air Force could reach the spot. They managed to rescue more than 33,000 people from remote, inaccessible mountain zones.

After the disaster, the rescue operation in the region in itself had become a risky affair due to the unpredictable weather conditions. Mountainous topography and lack of accessibility in the majority of the routes were very challenging for the rescuers. After the disaster, the fear among pilgrims resulted in a fall of number in tourism. And Tourism is a major source of economy for most of the locals in Uttarakhand.

The Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra is one of the most important festivals in Uttarakhand. It takes place every 12 years and was scheduled to take place on August 29, 2013. However, the state government was forced to cancel it on account of the damage caused to roads and bridges.

Complete Travel Guide

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The 2013 Kedarnath Tragedy and the Post-calamity Eco-conscious Development

Introduction

Kedarnath prides itself as being the heart of India’s spiritual culture. Located in the state of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 11,755 feet in the Garhwal Himalaya mountain ranges, the Kedarnath temple lies at the confluence of the Mandakini and Saraswati Rivers. [1] This temple is the highest of the twelve Jyotirlingams in India. The first reference related to the Kedarnath temple finds mention in the Skandapurana [2] and thereafter in various other ancient texts. [3] There exist several theories regarding the origin of the temple. According to local folklores, the temple was built by the Pandavas. Yet another version mentions that Raja Bhoja of Malwa built the same in the 2 nd century. It is however popularly accepted that the present Kedarnath temple was built by the great Advaitic seer Adi Shankaracharya. The divine architectural wonder of the temple has stood the test of time and still remains as the cultural nerve centre of Bharatavarsha. Geologists claim that the Kedarnath temple was under snow for nearly 400 years during the little ice age, sometime between 1300-1900 CE. [4] However, nothing has affected its glory and charm.

The largest natural disaster to hit India since the 2004 tsunami occurred in June 2013, when a midday cloudburst with a focus on the northern state of Uttarakhand triggered devastating floods and landslides. The amount of rain recorded in June 2013 was 385mm, which is far greater than what the state typically experiences. Major overflows were caused by debris blocking the rivers. [5] Although all thirteen of the State’s districts were devastated, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi were the worst afflicted. The catastrophe occurred during the busiest travel and pilgrimage period, [6] greatly increasing the number of fatalities and increasing the magnitude of destruction. In the Mandakini valley, the effects of the disaster were most noticeable. Flooding occurred at the Kedarnath Shrine and the adjoining areas of Rambara, Agastyamuni, Tilwara, and Guptkashi due to torrential rainfall and the collapse of the Chorabari lake. Significant damage was also done to nearby pilgrimage sites like Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Badrinath. The catastrophe resulted in a significant loss of human and animal life.  It severely damaged both private and public assets. The flash floods affected over nine million people and countless animals. [7] Over 4000 people died in the tragedy, which was attributed to nature and was written off as an “Act of God,” although it is clear that human meddling was also a prime reason for the catastrophe. The present article aims to identify the environmental factors and human trigger points that led to the calamity. It also aims to review Modi government’s Nature centric re-installation efforts for the restoration of the glory of Kedarnath Dham. Finally, the article aims to highlight that the seed of eco-conscious development lie in the rich philosophy of Bharatavarsha.                                                 

Research Methodology

The study was conducted as a qualitative library method. The same is primarily based on secondary data taken from a variety of literary sources, most notably reports from the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) and the Government of Uttarakhand, as well as numerous books, research papers, and articles. For this study, reports submitted by news agencies like Asian News International (ANI) have been meticulously followed. Official websites of Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Environment, Planning Commission of India, Archeological Survey of India and Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, have also been consulted. Additionally, locals were questioned to learn about their perspectives. Documentaries on Kedarnath and Uttarakhand have also been consulted to arrive at a conclusion.  

The Natural Causes of 2013 Kedarnath Tragedy

Kedarnath’s natural setting and environmental sensitivity most definitely had a role to play in the 2013 tragedy. Let’s briefly understand the natural causes that led to the disaster.  

• Geographical setting: The positioning of Kedarnath makes it extremely vulnerable to natural calamities. The Delhi-Haridwar ridge further adds fuel to fire and makes Uttarakhand in general and Kedarnath in particular a geographically sensitive region. The Delhi-Haridwar ridge beyond the boundaries of Delhi submerges bellow alluvium and penetrates below the Himalayan rock. This ridge also lies on the Indo-Australian plate [8] which is slowly shifting towards the North and is putting extreme pressure on Uttarakhand in the Himalayan range.
• Rain prone area: The entire Kedarnatha region is prone to excessive rainfall. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the phenomenal rainfall between June 14 and 18 resulted in devastating landslides. The rainfall between 15 June and 18 June 2013 was measured at 385.1 mm, against the normal rainfall of 71.3 mm, [9] which was in excess by 440 per cent. The rain was caused by convergence of the southwest monsoon and westerly disturbances that lead to the formation of dense clouds over Uttarakhand. The Rudraprayag district and surrounding areas experienced severe flooding as a result of the Mandakini River erupting due to heavy rain which resulted in elevated river The torrent of water that rushed down from the Kedarnath and Rambara regions delivered a massive silt load that was made up of enormous rock boulders which washed away everything that came its way. Additionally, the massive amount of water caused excessive erosion throughout the region, which led to colossal landslides.

Human Interference that Triggered the 2013 Kedarnath Tragedy

Besides natural and environmental factors, the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy was also instigated by human interference. These were:

• State government ’ s casual approach: Warnings issues by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi, were not heeded by the state government. The first such warning was given on June 13, 2013 when rainfall was recorded at 35.6-64.44mm. Daily warnings were given thereafter, with a warning being given on June 16 and 17 of expected rainfall of more than 244.5mm [10] . All of these were ignored by the state government.
• Ignorance of the locals and the government: The local people of the area had constructed houses on the west stream of the Mandakini River that had been dry for When the river returned to its original course as the calamity arrived, these constructions were washed   away. The government and locals both are to be blamed for poor housing designs, cheap materials used (un-burnt bricks and mud) and wrong housing development techniques. The locals also indulge in disposing of waste, plastic bottles, polythene bags etc in the rivers that added to the chances of the disaster taking shape.
• Population Explosion: An increase in population had put pressure of immense magnitude upon the entire Kedarnath and Uttarakhand region which became one of the reasons for the disaster. The average population density per sq. km in the state of Uttarakhand in the year 2001 was recorded at 84.89. By 2011, this had increased to 100.86. [11]
• Deforestation: The cutting down of trees and bushes for construction of roads and other infrastructure, led to soil erosion which made the entire region of Uttarakhand, and Kedarnath in particular, vulnerable to devastating landslides and floods.
• Discarding the bodies of mules and ponies in the rivers: In the Mandakini River, which emerges from Chorabari glacier and mixes with Ganga, hundreds of dead mules are dumped. Besides contaminating the river, this also obstructs the water flow in the river. The bodies of dead animals, are many a times left on the path to the temple which not just leads to foul smell due to decomposition but also pollutes the divine environment of the shrine. [12]
• Unregulated promotion of tourism: Pulling international and national tourists to Uttarakhand did increase revenue of the state but it also added greatly to the 2013 tragedy. For people staying in the regions of Delhi, NCR and adjoining areas, Uttarakhand became a second home. The upsurge in the number tourists and pilgrims also opened doors for hotels, motels, lodges, restaurants, small time vendors and more. This added to the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy. It is to be noted that from 2000-2010 the number of tourists increased by 300% (from 1.11 crore to 3.11 crore). [13]
• Unmindful and erroneous construction: Lack of environmentally sustainable development and ignorance towards existing flaws became a major reason for the Kedarnatha 2013 tragedy. This included construction of roads, bridges and other structures in landslide prone areas, steep slope foundations and unsuitable places. Riverbeds were recklessly mined for sand, and due to the accumulation of construction debris, land contours and rivers changed their flow. Construction of hydroelectric dams in this sensitive region also paid scant heed to environmental concerns. It is to be noted that there are seventy large dams in Uttarakhand region and 680 incomplete dams that were present before the Kedarnath 2013 tragedy. The drainage systems were also faulty. New structures were constructed on old and feeble drains which acted as a barrier towards rainwater. Finally, there was a lack of education and awareness of multiple issues with respect to preserving the environment and of dealing with disasters.

Eco-consciously Reconstructing Kedarnath’ s Cultural Heritage (2014-2022)  

Post the 2013 disater, the Modi government came up with a well-thought-off plan to rebuild Kedarnath in an ecologically conscious and conceptually sound manner. The eco-conscious hill-town developmental plan of Kedarnatha was quick in receiving the Platinum Indian Green Building Council Grading (IGBC). [14] A risk mitigation strategy is added to it, and it includes recruiting and educating community marshals as well as managing hazardous conditions. A vernacular architectural style has been adopted for all buildings using local construction materials, technology and craftsmen. In order to make Kedarnath a world class pilgrimage mountain town, the development will revolve around the 3PECH Formula ( preservation, protection and promotion of Environment, Culture and Heritage ). [15]

.                                                                                          Source: Self

Fig.3. 3PECH Formula for the Protection, Preservation and Promotion of Environment, Culture and Heritage at Kedarnatha

Significant developments that have taken place post 2013 Kedarnath tragedy under Prime Minister Modi are:

• Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi and virtual museum : On 5th November 2021, PM Modi inaugurated Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya’s Samadhi and the virtual museum. [16] The museum embodies Bharatavarsha’s rich heritage, culture and furthers Adi Shankaracharya’s The 12 feet high statue of Adi Shankaracharya weighing 35 tons is placed atop a Shriyantara. Sculpted by the Mysore based sculptor Arjun Yogiraj, the samadhi and statue symbolise the country’s rich heritage, culture, literature, art and environmental consciousness.
• Smriti Vana Memorial: The Smriti Vana Memorial came into existence on June 17, 2019 in the memory of the people who lost their lives during the 2013 Kedarnatha t [17] The Smriti van memorial park is creatively utilising all large boulders that came down from landslides during the mishap. No other material has been used in developing the Smriti Vana Memorial other than the natural boulders and native vegetation. This Memorial Vana also promotes eco-awareness, preserves indigenous plants and fosters a culture that contributes to the preservation of the entire area. Additionally, it will be developed as an ecotourism destination where visitors can commune with nature and find inspiration to conserve and protect the environment.
• Three Meditation Caves along the Kedarnatha route : To preserve and promote the culture of silence, dharana, dhyana, Samadhi and yoga, three mauna meditational caves have been developed along the route to The caves are administered by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVL). [18] These caves will not only promote the ‘Bhartiya Parampara’ that is rooted spirituality but will also add aesthetic value to the scenic beauty of the Kedarnatha route. Each cave is well equipped with electricity, water and toilets. Shri Narendra Modi, in 2019, meditated for 17 hours at the Rudra Gufa. [19] This cave is an underground cave constructed by the Nehru Mountaineering Institute. Also known as “Dhyana Gufa”, it is barely half a kilometre from the main Kedarnath shrine. [20]
• Construction of the 12.5 km Sonprayaga-Gaurikunda-Kedarnath Ropeway and Animal Welfare : The 12.5 km [21] ropeway to Kedarnath, bridges the gap between Sonprayag and Kedarnath. However, this stretch remains an extremely eco-sensitive region. Since the Kedarnath development pledges to be eco-conscious while also ensuring the preservation of cultural and historical value of the site, it went through an entire process of acquiring approvals from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). With the construction of this ropeway, at a cost of Rs 1200 crore, the distance between Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham will be greatly reduced. When completed, this ropeway will be the longest ropeway in Uttarakhand and at 11,500 feet, the highest ropeway in the world.

5. Saraswati-Mandakini Ghats & Retaining wall: After the 2013 floods, a huge amount of water began gushing down the Mandakini and Saraswati rivers along with volumes of debris. Damage of immense magnitude was done to the river edges. To avoid any such devastation in future, a 350-meter-long river edge, pitra-ghats and protection walls are being developed to maintain our heritage and also provide protection against any unforeseen circumstances. These developments will take place along the eastern and western banks of Saraswati-Mandakini rivers, respectively. The developments of ghats will not only provide devotees a platform to perform puja but will also ensure an aesthetic view of the region. The retaining wall will also define the flow of the rivers and will ensure protection against soil erosion. It is also important to note that these developments have taken place along the existing terrain elevation in order to avoid any major transformation to the same. This part will also have a cafeteria, washrooms, seventy purohit quarters, changing rooms, visitors facility pavilion and more. To give a visual treat to the pilgrims, and for the further development of heritage and culture, wall murals and art works will be created. Both the edges follow a slope that will not let the water stay near the temple and surrounding area. The point where Saraswati and Mandakini will meet will be known as the “Sangamghat”. Eight guest houses have also been constructed on this ghat.

• Construction of Bio-digestible Toilets on the Kedarnatha Trek Route: Culturally Bharatavarsha has celebrated cleanliness since time immemorial. The same has been revered through ages. Be it Patanjali’s Yogasutra where “ Sauca” becomes the first pillar of Niyama or Adi Shankaracharya who stresses upon the purity of Antahkarna, cleanliness becomes the first step towards knowledge, wisdom and spirituality . The earlier trek route to Kedarnath shrine had no facility of toilets which made the journey extremely difficult. Now, 323 toilets have been built along the route to Kedarnath. The Kedarnath Dham now prides itself with DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organisation) designed bio-digestible toilets. [22] These toilets are unique and degenerate waste in an environmentally friendly way with the help of bacteria that anaerobically digest the waste. These toilets are also portable and can be stationed anywhere. [23]
• Waste Management at Kedarnatha Area: In May 2022, a picture of garbage pile at Kedarnath went viral on the internet. After a thorough investigation, it came to light that many pilgrims who visited the site had littered carelessly and this became a national concern. Whilst the public is being educated on this issue, the government is also devising strategies to meet the challenges of food waste, temple waste, bio-medical waste, rural solid waste, construction and demolition waste, hazardous waste, electronic waste, plastic waste, water waste and sewage treatment, ground water contamination, recharge and extraction, air and noise pollution, illegal mining and more. Further, systems like the Recykal Deposit Refund System (deposit a plastic bottle and get a refund of Rs10), Material Recovery Facility (for picking up dry waste), Micro Auto Gastification System (MAGS) and Smart Xpress Composter System (SXCS) have also come into being to strengthen the waste management system. Although, there is a 3R method to deal with waste (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle), this paper suggests the following 5R [24] method in order to deal with the same.

.                                                Fig.14. Suggested 5R approach for waste management

8. Intelligent Traffic Management System and Pedestrian Friendly Pathways: The pathway for pilgrims has been defined and is predominantly connected through public spaces such as the temple path, Saraswati Ghat and temple These paths are guided by way finding signage. “Specially able  people,” emergency and supporting services will move along the peripheral path through battery operated/electronic vehicles (ATV – All Terrain Vehicles). These electric vehicles will be managed by the control decks situated along the Mandakini River. Being a prominent pilgrim site, it was important to create circulation of the crowd during peak hours. Thus, a pathway towards the main shrine has been developed in a manner that allows a person to reach the temple in a span of 8-10 minutes. The site is also universally accessible and barrier free. The pathways comprise of street guidelines that incorporate public facilities i.e., benches, luminaries, dustbins, planters and sculptures.

• IT Connectivity and Digitisation: The site is enabled with radio frequency based local internet network, presently used to provide essential services such as Wi-Fi by point to point and point to multipoint wireless communication system. The area is also well equipped with “Smart Public Addressal System” through which wireless outdoor speakers can be operated, these speakers are durable and can stand harsh weather conditions.
• Eco-friendly Street Lighting System: The street lights will be high-end in technology however they will be operated by solar energy and thus they will be environmentally
• Disaster Management System: A sensitive place like Kedarnath that is prone to earthquakes and floods requires a strong Disaster Management System. Therefore, risk mitigation through preparation of disaster risk reduction plan has been put in place. Further, identification, training and retraining programs related to dealing with such disasters have been developed. Building of proper civil infrastructure i.e., retaining walls, embankments and more have been developed to reduce devastation of immense magnitude during natural calamities. The area is also being well equipped with the provision of evacuation plan, disaster shelters and refuge centres that can shelter 28,000 people during catastrophes.
• Laser/Light and Sound show: A laser light and sound show at the Kedarnath temple has been conceived as a means of cultural development. The show is called “Adi Ananta Shiva.” This 25-minute show will depict the association of Lord Śiva with Kedarnath area. It will also story-tell the great epic Mahabharata and will further showcase the 2013 tragedy. The aim of this show is “cultural and historical learning through entertainment and storytelling.” The laser-light show effectively turns the temple’s left wall into a giant “screen” for a spectacular display. This show is operational 7 days a week. The same will further become a source of employment and livelihood for many locals.

T he 2013 Kedarnath tragedy was not merely an “Act of God/ Nature,” but also involved considerable human involvement and governmental incompetence. However, after the catastrophe, changes were undertaken based on recognising the errors of the previous administration and emphasising environmental conscious development. It is crucial to realise that any growth carried out at the expense of Mother Nature cannot be either sustainable or advantageous. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi has frequently discussed environmentally conscious and holistic development. In fact, he is the first Indian prime minister to actively promote the advancement of nature, stray animals, and wildlife in addition to human development and upliftment.

Without a doubt, Advaitavada, as propounded by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya is the spirit of Bharatavarsha. Advaitavada also becomes the conclusive thought of the Vedic and Upaniṣadic literature. According to Advaitamata, everything manifests from the Supreme Brahman, lives in “It” and finally merges back into its source. Since, Advaitavada is the fundamental guiding principle of Bharatvarsha’s ethical, social, political, religious, environmental and overall thought and practice, every development should keep Advaitavada at its core for the well-being of all creatures. Advaitavada is not limited to human beings nor is it human centric as in case of Abrahamic faith systems. In fact, it sees the entire creation as a single unit and fosters no preference towards any creature, specie or being. Thus, keeping Advaitavada as the guiding philosophy at Kedarnath Dham, it is suggested that the developments taking place must be for the overall wellness of all beings (humans, animals, trees, rivers and more).

Mahatma Gandhi, gave us the practical philosophy of Antodaya, Sarvodaya, and Gramswaraja which have their roots in Advaitavada. According to Antodaya, the last being of the society must be provided with the necessities to live a life of harmony and peace. When all beings are rooted in harmony, it will automatically lead to Sarvodaya, which professes that there must be upliftment of all lives without discrimination towards any. When every life is taken care of and there is holistic development, it will become the foundation of Gramswaraja. The same professes that every village should be a self-sufficient unit that is independent and self-reliant. It is to be understood that limiting Antodaya, Sarvodaya and Gramswaraj to merely human kind is downgrading the very philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. The same must be understood in a holistic fashion and must take into account all beings from a crawling ant to the humongous mountain. Here it also becomes imperative to highlight Buddha’s Pratityasamutapada or the theory of interdependence. It must be lucidly understood that we are not independent units. Our independence, birth, growth and sustenance are directly proportional and dependent upon various beings. Thus, in the wellness of all lives lies our own wellness. Based upon the philosophical edicts mentioned above, following are a few suggestions that can be included in the development of Kedarnath and surrounding areas.

Environmental Measures

• Increase the number of toilets and equip every toilet with sanitary napkins.
• Removing mules from Kedarnath Area.
• Establish Mobile Veterinary Clinics. Also, employ ‘pashu Mitra’s’ who should be trained as Para-vets.

Economical and Social Measures.

• Construction and promotion of of Hunar Hatt and Uttarakhand Bhoj Anand under Vocal for Local for encouraging local art, handicraft, regional delicacies and cuisines of Uttarakhand.
• Construction Vocational Training Centres for skill development.
• Popularise Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Inviting Scholars from India and Abroad for short-term projects on local herbs, art, architecture, culture, environment and more.

Author Brief Bio: Dr. Vandana Sharma ‘Diya’ is a Post-Doctoral Fellow, Indian Council of Social Sciences Research, MoE, Academician, Indian Knowledge System, MoC and Principal Researcher, Kedarnath Dhama, MoE.

References:

[1] Kinsley David, Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition , Motilal Banarasidass, Delhi, 1998, pp.11,13 (Saraswatī River is mentioned in the Ṛgveda)

[2] Skandapurana; Kedarakhanda.

[3] Śhantiparva , Ch.35; Vanaparva , Ch.38; Lingapurana , Ch.12; Vamanapurana, Ch.36; Padmapurana, Ch.61; Kurmapurana, Ch.36;   Garudapurana, Ch.81;   Saurapurana, Ch.69;    Brahmavaivratpurana, Ch.17.

[4] https://www.news18.com/news/india/kedarnath-shrine-was-under-snow-for-400-years-scientists-619076.html

[5] National Institute of Disaster Management (MHA), India Disaster Report 2013 , Delhi, 2014.

https://nidm.gov.in/pdf/pubs/india%20disaster%20report%202013.pdf .

[6] Kedarnatha Temple remains open to public between Akshaye Tritiya (April) and Kartik Purnima (November).

[7] National Institute of Disaster Management (MHA), India Disaster Report 2013 , Delhi, 2014

[8] The Australian continent and its surrounding seas are part of the Indo-Australian Plate, a significant tectonic plate that also stretches northwest to include the Indian subcontinent and nearby oceans. It was created around 43 million years ago when Indian Ocean’s mid-ocean ridge, which had been separating the two plates, stopped spreading, and merged with the Australian plate.

[9] National Institute of Disaster Management (MHA), India Disaster Report 2013 , Delhi, 2014.

[10] Ministry of Home Affairs, Kedarnath Warning , Delhi, 2013. https://www.mha.gov.in/MHA1/Par2017/pdfs/par2013-pdfs/rs-070813/385.pdf

[11] National Institute of Disaster Management, Uttarakhanda Disaster 2013, Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi, 2015.p.29 https://nidm.gov.in/pdf/pubs/ukd-p1.pdf

[12]   (i)Shivani Azad, Carcasses of dead mules in Kedarnath thrown into Mandakini , Times of India, 2022, Carcasses of dead mules in Kedarnath thrown into Mandakini, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/91796427.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst .

(ii) Interview with Mrs.Gauri Mulekhi, Trustee, People for Animals.

[13] National Institute of Disaster Management, Uttarakhanda Disaster 2013, Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi, 2015.p.30 https://nidm.gov.in/pdf/pubs/ukd-p1.pdf

[14] On information gathered from Sh.Puneet Aggarwal, The Counselor at Indian Green Building Council (www.igbc.in)

[15] Developed by Dr.Vandana Sharma ‘Diya’

[16] Asian News International, PM Modi unveils Shri Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi and statue in Kedarnath , Uttarakhanda, 2021.

https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/pm-modi-unveils-statue-of-adi-shankaracharya-at-kedarnath20211105093620/

[17]   The Statesman, Smriti Van created in the memory of Kedarnath disaster victims , Dehradun, 2019

‘Smriti Van’ created in memory of Kedarnath disaster victims

[18] Sacred Yatra, https://www.sacredyatra.com/rudra-meditation-cave-kedarnath.html

[19] The Week, Kedarnath cave where Modi meditated, Uttarakhanda, 2019.

https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/05/19/kedarnath-cave-where-modi-meditated-equipped-with-wifi-telephone-toilet.html

[20] E-uttaranchala, Rudra Cave Kedarnatha ,  https://www.euttaranchal.com/tourism/rudra-cave-kedarnath.php

[21] National Highways Logistic Management Ltd, Ropeway, Delhi, 2016, http://nhlm.in/ropeway.html

[22] https://www.chardhamtour.in/bio-digester-toilets-on-the-routes-of-char-dham-route.html

[23] https://www.drdo.gov.in/bio-digester

[24] Conceptualized by Dr.Vandana Sharma

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Ten years of Kedarnath tragedy: Lessons not learnt and challenges ahead

The himalayan state of uttarakhand remains vulnerable to disasters due to unsustainable development and an increase in pilgrims visiting hindu shrines..

In June 2013, a midday cloudburst in the upper reaches of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand led to flash floods that claimed over 6,000 lives and swept away several settlements, including the one around the Kedarnath shrine, during the height of the pilgrimage season in what has been described as the worst natural disaster the state has ever witnessed.

Also read: Pilgrim influx crosses one million mark at Kedarnath Dham, breaks previous records

Ten years later, the Himalayan state remains extremely vulnerable to disasters exacerbated by unsustainable development. As lessons from the Kedranath tragedy went largely unheeded, the number of pilgrims to the Char Dham Hindu shrines have since increased beyond the carrying capacity of the valleys, experts said.

This year, over a million pilgrims have already visited Kedarnath till the end of June, with about another three months still remaining for the annual pilgrimage. Last year, that number was touched in August.

In 2014, an expert panel constituted by the Supreme Court suggested that authorities should limit the number of pilgrims visiting the four shrines. No more than 5,000 people should be allowed per day in Kedarnath, 6,000 in Badrinath, 3,500 in Yamunotri and around 4,000 in Gangotri, it said.

Prodded by the committee, the Uttarakhand government did impose a daily limit to the four shrines, which are open to pilgrims typically from end April or May to September every year, only to revoke it on April 21 on the eve of the start of the pilgrimage. It had earlier said the daily cap for pilgrims to Yamunotri would be 500, Gangotri 9,000, Badrinath 15,000 and Kedarnath 18,000.

Lessons from the Kedarnath disaster entailed a need for a sustainable and decentralized model of tourism based on the ecological carrying capacity of the fragile Himalayan ecology, said Hemant Dhyani, a noted environmentalist and member of the Supreme Court-appointed panel. “Instead of assessing this, a rampant increase in pilgrim influx is overburdening fragile Himalayan valleys,” Dhyani said.

Need for sustainable development

It is not just the number of pilgrims that are a problem, Dhyani said. Numerous experts opined that the higher Himalayas should be kept free from hydropower interventions, he said. “Despite this, nothing was implemented and, as a result, we witnessed the aggravation of the 2021 Rishi Ganga flood and sinking of the Joshimath area,” Dhyani said.

In February 2021, a glacial burst on Rishi Ganga in Chamoli district claimed 204 lives and nearly swept away parts of a hydropower project being built on the river. In January this year, dangerous cracks developed in several building in Joshimath, the gateway town to the Badrinath shrine, which led the evacuation of several hundreds of residents to safer locations. Many of them are still living in relief camps.

The mountains need a sustainable model of infrastructure development, Dhyani and other experts said.

“Instead of a disaster and climate- resilient approach for infrastructure projects, the Char Dham railways, urbanization and various roads projects are being taken up without keeping in mind the fragility and sensitivity of the Himalayas,” Dhyani said. “Such unsustainable and irresponsible approach is in fact making our Himalayan region more vulnerable to disasters like cloudbursts, flashfloods and landslides.”

In 2014, soon after the Kedarnath tragedy, an expert body set up by the Supreme Court has said hydropower projects should not be built in disaster-prone valleys north of the main central thrust (MCT) line, but the recommendations were not adopted. The hydropower project on the Rishi Ganga and Dhauliganga is located north of the MCT, which is highly prone to landslides, flashfloods and earthquakes. An interministerial group had also recommended in 2014 that such areas should be left pristine.

Rampant and unabated constructions are being undertaken against the opinion of scientists, geologists and experts in Uttarakhand, due to which the precariousness of disaster situations is increasing rapidly, said Anoop Nautiyal, a Dehradun-based social activist.

“Environmental concerns are consistently getting brushed aside in lieu of development plans. The crowds coming to the Himalayas, including Kedarnath, are only increasing. There is a mad scramble to set new pilgrim arrival records,” Nautiyal said. “If the tourism influx and construction are not curbed and not managed properly, a tragedy like 2013 can happen again in Uttarakhand.”

More than 400 villages displaced due to development are awaiting rehabilitation in the state since the government has not managed to resettle them in new locations, Nautiyal claimed. “Landslides, avalanches, earthquakes, land subsidence, and extreme rainfall events are all increasing in intensity across the state. Uttarakhand needs to seriously plan and take care of its carrying capacity,” he said.

“The government should listen to experts and involve them in the policymaking process,” Nautiyal said. “Sustainable and regulated development with concern for future generations is the model that needs to be adopted and implemented.”

Improving forecasts to prevent disasters

The authorities have also been found lacking in putting in place systems that would predict weather phenomenon quickly so that the human cost of disaster can be prevented.

A year after the 2013 tragedy, the then chief secretary Subhash Kumar had held talks with the Indian Meteorological Department for sett up Doppler radars in the state under the Union earth sciences ministry’s Integrated Himalayan Meteorology programme.

It was aimed at improving weather forecast services in the Himalayan states and help in reducing human losses due to extreme weather events. Later, activist Ajay Gautam filed a public interest litigation in 2014, urging the Delhi high court to issue directives to the state government to establish advanced warning systems and Doppler radars.

“Doppler radars help in providing extreme weather data in real-time and help officials in getting warning about storms in any region within two to three hours in advance. The severity of the weather systems can thus be quantitatively estimated more accurately and more precise advance warnings can be generated for saving human lives and property,” Gautam said.

Also read: 8 CRPF personnel on way to Amarnath yatra injured in road accident

Despite the lawsuit and the court’s repeated directions, there were delaying in deploying the radars, Gautam said. Two Doppler radars were set up in the past three years, while the third one is yet to be installed. “Had they been set up early, it would have helped the authorities in the state a lot,” he added.

Two Doppler radars have been installed, one at Mukteshwar in Nainital district in 2021, and another at Surkanda in Tehri Garhwal district in 2022, according to Bikram Singh, director of the weather office’s Dehradun centre. “The third radar will be set up at Lansdowne within the next two to three months,” he said.

The rapidly increasing number of pilgrims during the char dham yatra is a worrying sigh, said geologist Y P Sudriyal, adjunct Professor at HNB Garhwal University. “If it is not managed properly, a tragedy like 2013 can happen again,” he said.

“After the 2013 disaster, we conducted a survey and found that the Kedar valley had a capacity for only 25,000 pilgrims to stay, but that night, there were 40,000 people there. Now this balance has deteriorated further. The road, which was earlier branded as all weather, has now been branded as Char Dham Marg project,” Sudriyal said.

Even 10 years after the Kedarnath tragedy, there are no early warning systems in the higher Himalayan valleys that can alert people downstream to vacate the river areas in case of calamitous events like glacial lake bursts or flashfloods due to landslides. The state government earlier this year said siren systems will be installed at 250 places under the Uttarakhand Multi-Hazard Early Warning System to check losses due to disasters.

Effect of climate change

The climate emergency will only increase the vulnerability to extreme weather events in the Himalayas, experts said. Himalayan glaciers are retreating due to global warming, triggering a host of related phenomenon that require close study. However, there are only around 10 or so glaciers being monitored among over 1,000 glaciers found in Uttarakhand, which include Gangotri, Chorabari , Dunagiri , Dokriyani and Pindari glaciers.

One major reason is the location of these glaciers in remote areas and the lack of enough funding for their regular monitoring, which requires the setting of observatories, sensors and other equipment in the valleys downstream, apart from regular ground surveys.

Besides the climate change factor, it is local factors that are precipitating human losses in extreme weather events, said Anil Joshi, founder of Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization, a Dehradun-based non-profit.

“Climate change and temperature will further aggravate the situation in the Himalayan state with regard to extreme rainfall events and flash floods. We need to have an effective strategy to deal with Kedarnath-like tragedies in the light of climate change, so that human losses can be checked and minimised,” Joshi said.

“In the last two decades, the bearing capacity of many mountains and Himalayan regions in the state has been exhausted,” he said. “People are working and settling in vulnerable areas, which has to stop.”

There are multiple policy dimensions to the unfolding situation in the state, according to Piyoosh Rautela, executive director of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority.

“Many things have been done in the past 10 years. We have strengthened our system to deal with disasters. Early warning systems have been set up in Dhauli Ganga and Tehri Dam and more will be set up in the coming time,” Rautela said. “But ultimately, it is people who have to be aware and show sensitivity when it comes to creating concrete structures in fragile areas.”

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Here is what happened in Kedarnath, and rest of Uttarakhand, in 2013

Between june 13 and 17, the state of uttarakhand had received an unusual amount of rainfall. this led to the melting of the chorabari glacier and the eruption of the mandakini river..

In the early hours of June 17, 2013 a flash flood came down upon the overflowing banks of the Chorabari lake in Uttarakhand. Carrying huge amounts of silt and rocks, it destroyed lives, houses and everything else that came its way. Five years later, film maker Abhishek Kapoor is out with a film that tells the story of the devastating flood that left Uttarakhand in shreds. Kedarnath, starring actors Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Ali Khan, is a romantic drama set in the backdrop of the 2013 floods. The story revolves around a wealthy Hindu girl who is on pilgrimage at the Kedarnath temple, considered to be one of the sites at the Chhota char dham Hindu pilgrimage in the northern Himalayas, and a Muslim guide.

The film has been mired in controversy over the projection of an inter-faith love story. As it readies to hit the silver screen on December 7, here is a look back at the episode that shook the hilly state, leaving thousands dead and several others missing.

What exactly had happened?

Between June 13 and 17, the state of Uttarakhand had received an unusual amount of rainfall. This led to the melting of the Chorabari glacier and the eruption of the Mandakini river. The floods affected large parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Western Nepal. The heavy rainfall caused massive flash floods and landslides resulting in the death of residents and tourists as well as extensive damage to property. Reportedly the worst hit was the Kedarnath valley popular for the 8th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The flood left behind a death toll of more than 5000. Ecologist Chandra Prakash Kala notes in a report that “the approximate cost of damaged bridges and roads was $285 million, dam projects worth $ 30 million and loss to state tourism worth $195 million.”

The upper Himalayan regions of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are difficult to access due to the difficult snow-clad terrain. But a good number of pilgrims make the trip every year thanks to its religious sites. Uttarakhand, in fact, has four Hindu temples — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri — and one Sikh shrine — Hemkund Sahib — that bring in thoudands of pilgrims every year.

Kala notes that in 2011 approximately 25 million tourists had visited the area despite the fact that the region is highly susceptible to natural disasters like earthquakes, landslides and flash floods. Historical records shows the area had been affected by similar natural disasters back in 1893, 1968 and in 1970 when the calamitous impact of the flood had resulted in the Chipko movement.

What was the cause of the flood?

Despite the fact that heavy rainfall and cloudbursts are natural causes for the floods and landslides, environmentalists believe that the disaster of 2013 was a manmade one. “Unplanned and haphazard construction, mismanaged tourism and related activities including intensive mining in this fragile ecosystem are some of the reasons that made to name this natural disaster partly as man-made that increased the intensity and magnitude of damages,” writes Kala. Over the years the number of pilgrims visiting the area had also exponentially increased. In order to meet with the rising demands of religious tourism, the state government built an intricate network of roads, hotels, lodges and carried out other construction activities into the remote mountainous regions of the Himalayas. However, it is also true that the unexpected timing of the rainfall and the unusual amount of it also did not leave enough time for the pilgrims to evacuate, thereby increasing the magnitude of the impact.

How was the relief work carried out?

The relief work was carried out by a combined team of army, airforce, navy, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Security Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Public Works Department as well as by local administration. Within five days, the army had deployed about 10,000 soldiers and the airforce had brought in more than 45 pieces of aircraft to carry out the rescue operation. The ITBP which guards the Indo-China border swung into action even before the army or the air force could reach the spot. They apparently managed to rescue more than 33,000 people from remote, inaccessible mountain zones. It is worth noting that after the disaster, the rescue operation in the region in itself has become a risky affair due to the unpredictable weather conditions, mountainous topography and lack of accessibility in majority of the routes.

In the aftermath of the disaster, the fear among pilgrims resulted in a severe blow to tourism, which is a major source of income for most of the local inhabitants of the place. The Nanda Devi Raj Jaat which is a most important festival in Uttarakhand that takes place every 12 years was scheduled to take place on August 29, 2013. However, the state government was forced to cancel it on account of the damage caused to roads and bridges. After 100 days of deafening silence the pilgrimage route to Kedarnath was finally opened on October 5, but only a small number of pilgrims were allowed at a time. However, religious tourism continued to remain affected for the next couple of years. It is worth noting though that despite the damage caused and the fear instilled by the floods, faith of the pilgrims was restored when they realised that though most parts of Kedarnath town had undergone a catastrophe, what remained untouched was the Shiva temple built in the 8th century AD.

Meenakshi Seshadri revealed that she was ousted from Damini after she refused Santoshi's romantic advances and proposal of marriage. She recounted how she kept silent about the situation and was ultimately asked to rejoin the film, thanks to the support from the Producers Guild.

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Landslides triggered by the June 2013 extreme rainfall event in parts of Uttarakhand state, India

• Recent Landslides
• Published: 25 November 2014
• Volume 12 , pages 135–146, ( 2015 )

Cite this article

• Tapas R. Martha 1 ,
• Priyom Roy 1 ,
• K. Babu Govindharaj 1 ,
• K. Vinod Kumar 1 ,
• P. G. Diwakar 1 &
• V. K. Dadhwal 1  

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Extreme rainfall during 15–17 of June 2013 triggered numerous landslides and caused widespread damage and loss of life in the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda river valleys, with Kedarnath town bearing the brunt of the disaster. In this paper, we present a corroboration of observations gathered from very high resolution satellite data which indicated that two events in close succession caused damage to the Kedarnath town. While the flooding on June 16, 2013 was due to the reactivation of an old landslide that resulted in breaching of the river training wall, breaching of the moraine dammed Chorabari lake on June 17, 2013 caused further flooding and damage to the Kedarnath town. We also prepared a detailed landslide inventory using multi-temporal Resourcesat-2 images (5.8 m) acquired before and after the event in order to avoid issues related to cloud and shadow. A total of 6,013 landslides were mapped, out of which 3,472 landslides with 30.4 km 2 area were classified as new ones, 1,137 landslides with 9.1 km 2 area were classified as old ones and 1,401 landslides with 11.7 km 2 area were classified as reactivated ones. The frequency-area statistics of the mapped landslides shows near completeness of this event-based landslide inventory. The debris brought down by rivers from these landslides, particularly from the glaciated deposits in upstream areas, caused severe river bank erosion in downstream areas.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the DSC team and NDC, NRSC for providing necessary input data. Dr. Ajanta Goswami, Scientist, IIRS/ISRO, Dehradun is thanked for support during the fieldwork and sharing few ground photographs.

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Tapas R. Martha, Priyom Roy, K. Babu Govindharaj, K. Vinod Kumar, P. G. Diwakar & V. K. Dadhwal

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Martha, T.R., Roy, P., Govindharaj, K.B. et al. Landslides triggered by the June 2013 extreme rainfall event in parts of Uttarakhand state, India. Landslides 12 , 135–146 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-014-0540-7

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Received : 13 August 2014

Accepted : 12 November 2014

Published : 25 November 2014

Issue Date : February 2015

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-014-0540-7

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Management issues in Kedarnath tragedy

This article aims to develop an in-depth perspective on management issues in Kedarnath tragedy that led to increase of death toll, loss of manpower and financial loss. Disasters cannot be avoided but the aftermath of disaster can be mitigated through effective disaster management by proper implementation of technology, contributing to disaster prevention and disaster preparedness in the concerned area.

A massive devastation occurred in the Kedarnath town that led to the abjection of holy pilgrimage site due to combination of early rainfall, movement of southwest monsoon winds, and the excessive increase of water level in the Chorabari glacier on 15th and 16thJune 2013 due to heavy rainfall which devastated the town on 17thJune 2013 due to moraine dammed lake failure.

Most of the agencies responsible for conducting research, and scholars who did research on Kedarnath tragedy, stated only scientific factors related to unusual weather condition near Kedarnath town responsible for devastation of holy town. There is abundance of technology available with government of India to make the pre-forecast for any flash food by flood forecasting stations governed by Central Water Commission (CWC), to detect the gathering of clouds in an area by Doppler Weather Radar which is capable enough to predict any cloudburst-like situation, and many more sophisticated methods to predict any disaster-like situation.

The issue which arises over here is as to why India suffered to such a large extent in terms of loss of property, manpower and livestock in Kedarnath town even after it is fully equipped with flood forecasting methods and flood preparedness measures. The major issue that resulted in brutal effects of flash flood in Kedarnath was ineffective implementation of technology.

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