Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Profile of Himachal Pradesh

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Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Profile of Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is highly vulnerable State to a large number of natural as well as man- made disasters. Earthquake and floods has jolted this hilly State many times and caused great losses to the State. Flood, cloudburst, landslide and cloud burst are other common natural calamities of the State.

Earthquake

Himachal Pradesh is located in the northwestern part of Himalaya. Himalaya came into being due to inter-continental collision between Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate. The inter-continental collision caused volcanism, folding, faulting, under thrusting, uplift, crustal shortening and accumulation of seismic energy. There are a number of faults viz. Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT), Jawalamukhi Thrust (JT), Barsar Back Thrust (BBT), Muree Thrust MT; Main Boundry Thrust MBT; Panjal Thrust; Main Central Thruct (MCT), Kulu Thrust (KT), Vaikrita Thrust (VT) etc. Release of accumulated energy along these fault lines has resulted into some devastating Earthquakes and great losses to the State. Every year state is experiencing a number of earthquakes. Whole of the state is either in seismic zone IV of high risk zone or in seismic zone V of very high risk zone.

Floods

All the major rivers of the State have their sources in Glaciers. One common feature of glacier area is the presence of glacier lakes. When these lakes burst causes flash floods. Sudden discharge of huge volume of water from glacial lake is known as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).The frequency of GLOFs increases with the Climate change and deforestation. Cloud bursting is another cause of flash floods during monsoon period. State has harnessed its hydroelectric potential owing to perennial rivers. This has produced a number of hydroelectric Dams. These dams and natural lakes may get damaged especially during earthquake. Sudden release of water by opening floodgates of hydroelectric power project also increases the volume of water in the downstream. This poses a great threat due to floods in the downstream.

 

Cloudburst

Cloudbursts are associated with convective clouds. Vertical Development of clouds in Himalayan region is associated with its topography and southwestern monsoon wind direction. Himalaya is arch shape mountain located in east-west direction in the northernmost part of India. Average elevation of Himalaya is about 6100 meters above mean sea level. Himalayan river valleys are open towards south and are closed in the north. Summer Monsoon Winds enter in the river valleys and are forced to rise vertically along the valley slopes. Vertical development of clouds can extend up to 15 kilometers above the earth surface. Sometimes a very heavy rainfall occurs of equal to or greater than 10 centimeters per hour which is called cloudbursts. Cloudbursts are usually associated with landslides and flash floods.

Landslide

Downward movement of rocks primarily under the influence of gravity is called landslide. Besides gravity there are factors that build a specific subsurface condition to make area prone to slope failure. However, the actual landscape often requires a trigger before the event. Earthquake and rainfall trigger the rocks downward movement. It is both natural and manmade phenomena and varies spatially with variation in altitude, geology and topography. The controlling factors of landslide are steepness of slope, type of rocks, change in vegetation and developmental activities like C/o roads, tunnels, Hydropower projects etc.

Avalanche

Sudden slide of large mass of snow along the slopes of mountain is called avalanche. They occur in high altitude area with steep valley slopes and are common in Kinnaur, Lahul and Spiti, Kullu, Chamba and Kangra districts.

Road Accidents

Roads in the state are along the former river beds or by cutting the Mountains and are curving. Common causes of accidents are poor visibility due to fog, non use of horns especially on curves, use of alcohol, over speeding, overtaking on curves and poor maintain of the vehicles.

Risk analysis

Earthquake (Very High Risk)

In Himachal Pradesh 60% Population lives in very high risk zone; 38 % population lives in high risk zone and the rest of population lives in moderate to low risk zone. Limited awareness, Preparedness, structural weaknesses of the buildings, Flouting of bye laws by public and high population density in various institutions reveal very high vulnerability to day time earthquake and low capacity. This suggests very high risk.

Flood (High Risk)

Topography of Himalayan river valleys, glacial fed rivers, damage or sudden release of water from power project dams and densely populated former river beds poses high risk.

Cloudburst (High Risk)

Impact of cloud burst is dual. It leads to landslides and flashfloods. Settlements on river terraces are at high risk.

Landslide (High Risk)

landslides pose risk to buildings and disruption in road and Communication Network. Landslides also choke rivulets and form temporarily lakes. When these lakes burst it causes flash foods.

Avalanche (Low Risk)

Six districts viz. Hamirpur, Una, Bilaspur, Mandi, Sirmour, and Solan have no risk of avalanche. Further Kangra, Chamba and Shimla have medium risk. Kullu falls in High risk zone, whereas Kinnaur and LahulSpiti are in Very High Risk zone. Further there is small proportion of population living in High and very Avalanche risk prone districts. Low vulnerability suggests Low risk.

Road accident (High Risk)

Steep slopes, Sharp bends in roads, narrow roads, overloaded buses & reckless driving, negligence, unskilled drivers, causes accidents.,

Himachal Pradesh is a state in India that is located in the Himalayas. The state is known for its beautiful scenery, but it is also prone to natural hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and floods. In addition, the state is facing the challenges of Climate Change, which is leading to an increase in the frequency and intensity of these hazards.

Natural Hazards

The most common natural hazards in Himachal Pradesh are earthquakes, landslides, and floods. Earthquakes are caused by the movement of tectonic plates, and they can cause significant damage to Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE and loss of life. Landslides are caused by heavy rains or melting snow, and they can block roads and railways, as well as damage homes and businesses. Floods are caused by heavy rains or melting snow, and they can inundate towns and villages, as well as damage crops and Livestock.

Human-Induced Hazards

In addition to natural hazards, Himachal Pradesh is also facing the challenges of human-induced hazards such as deforestation, mining, and industrial pollution. Deforestation can lead to Soil erosion and landslides, while mining can contaminate water supplies and pollute the air. Industrial pollution can also cause respiratory problems and other Health issues.

Vulnerability

The vulnerability of a community to a hazard is determined by a number of factors, including the location of the community, the type of hazard, the socioeconomic status of the community, and the level of preparedness of the community. In Himachal Pradesh, many communities are located in areas that are at risk of natural hazards, such as earthquakes, landslides, and floods. In addition, many communities in Himachal Pradesh are poor, and they do not have the Resources to protect themselves from these hazards.

Risk

The risk of a hazard is determined by the Probability of the hazard occurring and the severity of the consequences if it does occur. In Himachal Pradesh, the risk of natural hazards is high, due to the frequency and intensity of these hazards. In addition, the risk of human-induced hazards is also high, due to the activities of deforestation, mining, and industrial pollution.

Mitigation and Adaptation

There are a number of measures that can be taken to mitigate the risk of natural hazards, such as building earthquake-resistant structures, planting trees to prevent landslides, and improving Drainage Systems to prevent floods. In addition, there are a number of measures that can be taken to adapt to the challenges of climate change, such as developing drought-resistant crops and building seawalls to protect coastal communities from rising sea levels.

Conclusion

The state of Himachal Pradesh is facing a number of challenges from natural and human-induced hazards. However, there are a number of measures that can be taken to mitigate the risk of these hazards and to adapt to the challenges of climate change. By taking these measures, the state can reduce the impact of these hazards and improve the lives of its people.

What is Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Profile of Himachal Pradesh?

Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Profile of Himachal Pradesh is a report that assesses the risks posed by natural hazards in the state. The report identifies the most vulnerable areas and sectors, and recommends measures to reduce the risk of disasters.

What are the natural hazards that Himachal Pradesh is prone to?

Himachal Pradesh is prone to a number of natural hazards, including earthquakes, landslides, floods, and droughts. Earthquakes are the most common hazard, with the state experiencing an average of one earthquake of magnitude 5 or greater every year. Landslides are also a major hazard, with the state experiencing an average of 1,000 landslides every year. Floods are a seasonal hazard, with the state experiencing floods during the monsoon season. Droughts are a less common hazard, but can have a significant impact on the state’s economy and agriculture.

What are the impacts of natural hazards in Himachal Pradesh?

The impacts of natural hazards in Himachal Pradesh can be devastating. Earthquakes can cause widespread damage to infrastructure and loss of life. Landslides can block roads and railways, and can also damage or destroy homes and businesses. Floods can inundate towns and villages, and can also cause damage to crops and infrastructure. Droughts can lead to crop failures and water shortages.

What are the measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of disasters in Himachal Pradesh?

There are a number of measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of disasters in Himachal Pradesh. These include:

  • Improving early warning systems: Early warning systems can help to reduce the loss of life and damage to property by giving people time to evacuate before a hazard strikes.
  • Strengthening infrastructure: Infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings can be strengthened to make them more resistant to natural hazards.
  • Reducing population density in vulnerable areas: Population density can be reduced in areas that are at high risk of natural hazards by relocating people to safer areas.
  • Improving land-use planning: Land-use planning can help to reduce the risk of landslides by identifying areas that are prone to landslides and restricting development in these areas.
  • Raising awareness of the risks: Raising awareness of the risks of natural hazards can help people to take steps to protect themselves and their property.

What are the challenges in implementing these measures?

There are a number of challenges in implementing these measures. These include:

  • Cost: The cost of implementing these measures can be high.
  • Political will: There may be a lack of political will to implement these measures.
  • Technical expertise: There may be a lack of technical expertise to implement these measures.
  • Community participation: Community participation is essential for the successful implementation of these measures.

What are the opportunities for reducing the risk of disasters in Himachal Pradesh?

There are a number of opportunities for reducing the risk of disasters in Himachal Pradesh. These include:

  • The State Government is committed to reducing the risk of disasters. The state government has developed a Disaster Management plan and is working to implement it.
  • There is a growing awareness of the risks of natural hazards. This awareness is leading to increased demand for measures to reduce the risk of disasters.
  • There is a growing pool of technical expertise in the state. This expertise can be used to implement measures to reduce the risk of disasters.
  • There is a growing willingness of communities to participate in disaster risk reduction. This participation is essential for the successful implementation of these measures.

Question 1

Which of the following is not a type of hazard?

(A) Earthquake
(B) Flood
(C) Drought
(D) Economic crisis

Answer
(D) Economic crisis is not a type of hazard. Hazards are events or processes that can cause loss of life, injury, or damage to property. Earthquakes, floods, and droughts are all examples of hazards.

Question 2

Which of the following is not a type of vulnerability?

(A) Physical vulnerability
(B) Social vulnerability
(C) Economic vulnerability
(D) Environmental vulnerability

Answer
(D) Environmental vulnerability is not a type of vulnerability. Vulnerability is the degree to which a system is susceptible to, or unable to cope with, adverse effects of hazards. Physical vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of physical structures and systems to damage from hazards. Social vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of people and communities to the negative impacts of hazards. Economic vulnerability refers to the susceptibility of the economy to the negative impacts of hazards.

Question 3

Which of the following is not a type of risk?

(A) Probability of loss
(B) Magnitude of loss
(C) Exposure to hazard
(D) Cost of mitigation

Answer
(D) Cost of mitigation is not a type of risk. Risk is the probability of loss multiplied by the magnitude of loss. Exposure to hazard is the degree to which a system is exposed to a hazard. Magnitude of loss is the amount of damage that a hazard can cause.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a factor that can affect the risk of a hazard?

(A) The type of hazard
(B) The location of the hazard
(C) The vulnerability of the system
(D) The cost of mitigation

Answer
(D) The cost of mitigation is not a factor that can affect the risk of a hazard. The risk of a hazard is determined by the type of hazard, the location of the hazard, and the vulnerability of the system. The cost of mitigation is a factor that can affect the cost of reducing the risk of a hazard, but it does not affect the risk itself.

Question 5

Which of the following is not a way to reduce the risk of a hazard?

(A) Mitigation
(B) Preparedness
(C) Response
(D) Recovery

Answer
(C) Response is not a way to reduce the risk of a hazard. Response is the action taken after a hazard has occurred. Mitigation, preparedness, and recovery are all ways to reduce the risk of a hazard. Mitigation is the action taken to reduce the impact of a hazard. Preparedness is the action taken to be ready for a hazard. Recovery is the action taken to rebuild after a hazard has occurred.