Free Report July- Disasters due to environmental degradationby Aaditya Singh | 30-07-2023 05:20 |
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 In this report, I am highlighting two recent incidents of landslides in the mountains- One in Austria (where I currently reside) and another in India (close to where my grandparents are living). The reason .... as always our disregard and abuse of the environment. Landslide Rockfall in Austria Thousands of tonnes of rock broke off from the summit of the Fluchthorn part of the Silvretta Alps in Austria, and fell into a valley. Geologists attribute this rockfall to the effects of melting snow and thawing permafrost, likely exacerbated by the climate crisis. The rockfall resulted in an immense volume of black and grey rocks cascading down the mountain, causing thick clouds of dust that could be seen from afar. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and authorities were able to observe the event through videos captured by mountain rescuers in the area. Similar occurrences have been observed in other regions in Europe, such as the Swiss village of Brienz, which had to be evacuated due to the risk of rock formations collapsing. Concerns have also been raised about the nearby summit, Hochvogel, in southern Germany, which has been gradually disintegrating over time. Experts estimate that the mass of rock that fell from Fluchthorn was up to 260,000 cubic metres in size, showing visible cracks and fissures on its summit. While there are no immediate concerns about its collapse affecting inhabited areas, precautionary measures have been taken, and a hiking path in the vicinity was closed long ago due to the risks of rockfall. Landslides in Himachal Pradesh in India According to official government data, from June 24 to July 14, the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, located on the foothills of Himalayas, has seen 108 people lose their lives due to landslides and cloud bursts; and other related consequences such as flash floods, Road Accident, Fire, Drowning, fall from Steep Rock, Snake Bite, Electrocution etc As per data collected by the disaster management department, Himachal Pradesh has experienced a significant increase in major landslides, Majority of landslides occur during the rainy monsoon season, The state has identified 17,120 landslide-prone sites, with 675 of them located near critical infrastructure and human settlements. Experts attribute the surge in landslides to high-intensity rainfall and human activities like cutting hill slopes for construction, road widening, tunnel blasting, hydro projects, and mining. Climate change is also a factor, with increased temperatures and intense rainfall contributing to landslides by loosening the strata in places with hill slope cutting downstream on the foothills. Human activities and the exploitation of natural resources for development have raised serious concerns about the state's ecology. In response to the frequent landslides, authorities are planning to install early warning and land monitoring systems to provide advance information about landslide activity in some areas of the state. The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is also working on a concept paper to suggest remedies for minimizing and preventing landslides caused by road expansion in the state Conclusion Climate change caused by human activities and indiscriminate land-use has undoubtedly caused such landslides and rockfall. It is important that we start giving due respect to nature to minimise such disasters and the resulting damage and loss of life. References and Image from: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/13/thousands-of-tonnes-of-rock-break-off-summit-of-austrian-mountain https://www.outlookindia.com/national/landslides-in-himachal-pradesh-increased-six-times-in-past-two-years-govt-report-news-269381 |
