Shimla (HP): The Western Himalayas are today in the grip of an invisible but acute crisis. The valleys, once symbols of peace and natural balance, are now grappling with recurrent tragedies such as floods, landslides and cloudbursts. These disasters are no longer just ‘natural’ – they are a deep and complex interplay of climate change, sensitive geography, and anthropogenic interventions, says Rajan Sharma, Disaster Management Expert at the Deputy Commissioner's Office, Una.
He says that the root of the crisis lies in the uneven impact of global warming. Research indicates that the Himalayan region is warming at about twice the global average rate. This uneven warming is severely disrupting monsoon patterns. Moisture-rich winds created by rising heat and humidity in the atmosphere ascend quickly and condense upon striking the steep Himalayan slopes, triggering cloudbursts, which are now occurring with increasing frequency.
He further explains that shifts in the atmospheric chemical composition are also contributing to the crisis. Aerosols and black carbon, which are produced mainly from vehicle emissions, biomass combustion and diesel consumption, interfere with raindrop formation, in turn intensifying rainfall and making it more destructive.
"The climate crisis is no longer just a matter of temperature, it has become a multi-dimensional challenge," Sharma adds.
According to Sharma, the Himalayas are one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world that remain geologically active. The region is prone to frequent plate collisions and seismic activity.
Its steep slopes, fragile rocks, and sharp elevation variations already make it an unstable region. When excessive rainfall or snowfall occurs, the water or snow layers exert additional pressure on this weakened terrain, significantly increasing the risk of landslides. Any additional pressure, such as road construction or hill cutting, can turn this imbalance into a disaster.
Speaking to UNI, Sharma highlighted the critical imbalance between development and destruction in the western Himalayas, "In the race for development, the ecological balance of the western Himalayas is often overlooked. Over the past two decades, construction without environmental review, tourism-oriented infrastructure, hydropower projects, and road widening have severely affected the ecological resilience of the region. Deforestation has reduced the natural capacity to absorb rainwater. Concrete construction and indiscriminate cutting of mountains have weakened the stability of slopes. Chemical farming and pesticide use in the upper Himalayas are polluting the fragile grasslands and water sources there. The result of all this is that rainfall now produces a more intense impact — the soil is unable to absorb it, water does not seep into drains, but flows rapidly, sweeping away settlements and roads."
He says that the combined tragedies of untimely monsoons, avalanches, and cloudbursts have claimed thousands of lives in recent years. The Joshimath land subsidence of 2023 serves as direct evidence of groundwater disruption and the adverse effects of unchecked infrastructure development. Frequent landslides in regions like Uttarkashi, Kullu, Chamba are no longer seasonal occurrences, but reflect deeper structural vulnerabilities.
Initiatives toward solution
It may not be possible to avert the crisis completely, but it is in our hands to reduce its impact. This requires a comprehensive and integrated approach at both policy and grassroot levels.
At the policy and planning level:
Making environmental impact assessments rigorous
Declaring “eco-sensitive zones” with limited construction
Regulating the number and scale of hydropower projects
At the local level:
Reintroducing traditional water harvesting techniques
Creating permeable zones
Providing disaster management training to rural communities
Through scientific research and early warning systems:
Installing real-time rainfall and landslide warning systems
The Western Himalayas are no longer just a symbol of natural beauty, they now stand as a stark warning of ecological imbalance and environmental degradation. Unless we take climate change seriously, respect the fragile geographic structures, and redefine our development model, these tragedies will only get more deadly. It is time to change the direction of development – to one that cooperates with, not conflicts with, nature.
He warns that the multi-level, coordinated and sustained efforts are necessary to reduce the frequency and intensity of disasters.
"Striking a balance between development and conservation will be the long-term solution to deal with this crisis," he adds.
