climate-adaptation-strategy-crucial-for-himachal-s-fragile-hills

Frequent cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh and the increasing damage to life and property during monsoons over the past several years highlight the urgent need for a climate adaptation strategy for development in this ecologically fragile mountain state.

 

Although environmental activists in the region have raised concerns over faulty development models for more than two decades, the massive destruction caused by the unprecedented rains in Kullu, Shimla, and other districts in 2023—and now in the Seraj region of Mandi district—has brought the issue into sharp focus once again. It mandates a complete review of the state’s development strategy through a climate lens.

 

The hill state suffered losses amounting to over ₹9,000 crore during the 2023 natural disaster, with more than 500 lives lost, according to a memorandum submitted to the Government of India. However, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has repeatedly claimed that the state received only minimal disaster relief from the Centre.

 

This year, Sukhu said the state has incurred losses worth around ₹700 crore, primarily in Mandi district, with 69 reported deaths and many others still missing. The 14 cloudbursts in Seraj Valley on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1 caused widespread devastation, sweeping away people, homes, cars, buildings, and anything else in the path of the surging waters. As per district administration reports, based on inputs from local residents, 14 people have died in Seraj and 31 are still missing. Thunag, en route to Janjheli, is the worst-affected area.

 

Rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations are underway in Seraj, where road connectivity has been restored up to Thunag. The state deployed the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), army personnel, and local police to support rescue work in the difficult terrain—made more challenging by heavy, intermittent rain. Sadly, such scenes have become a common occurrence during every monsoon in Himachal, and those swept away by gushing waters are often never found.

 

Chief Minister Sukhu, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur (who represents Seraj), and state BJP Chief Dr. Rajiv Bindal have all visited the affected areas. Of these, Jai Ram Thakur has spent the most time physically in the region, trekking through muddy terrain to stand by people of his constituency. Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut also visited the affected area after facing criticism for her initial silence.

 

While rescue and rehabilitation of those affected by the natural calamity are priorities during such calamities, the state must begin thinking beyond short-term measures.

 

 

Environmental activists in Himachal argue that while global warming is a significant contributing factor to the changing climate, the damage is greatly worsened by the state’s unscientific approach to development. They warn that Himachal Pradesh’s terrain is ecologically sensitive, and unnecessary hill-cutting for roads and concrete infrastructure is

 

 “We need to re-orient our development policy in line with the changing climate. We need to involve the experts to find the safer development methods in the loose strata of hills,” said Kulbhushan Upmanyu, a noted environmentalist from Chamba and member of the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan.

 

Dr. Suresh C. Attri, Chief Scientific Officer at the Department of Environment, Science, Technology and Climate Change, Government of Himachal Pradesh, also noted that global warming is driving an increase in cloudbursts and extremely intense rainfall in narrow valleys such as Seraj. He cited studies showing that the state’s average temperature has risen by 0.9°C over the past century.

 

 “We need to go for climate adaptation strategies for sustainable development. Before taking up any development work, which involves construction, whether roads, buildings or any other infrastructure, we should go in for geological assessment of the area and take into consideration the drainage pattern very seriously. Hills are being cut for roads/four lanes and other construction unscientifically, which brings down the whole strata in heavy intensity rains. The muck is just rolled down the valley side. This becomes a big reason for increasing the damage during floods, cloud bursts,” he said, laying additional stress on the need to be careful about the drainage patterns of the hills, which are increasingly being disturbed. We should go for construction of roads, if it is urgently needed.

 

Attri, who is also the Joint Member Secretary, Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology and Environment, calls for an integrated approach within the government on development policies.

 

Chief Minister Sukhu, who has spent much of his tenure responding to recurring natural disasters, said that Mandi recorded 123 per cent excess rainfall in recent days, while Shimla recorded 105 per cent above-average rain. He confirmed that 19 cloudbursts had occurred in the state recently, causing significant loss of life and property.

 

In a meeting held on Monday, Sukhu stressed the need for safe construction practices and advised residents to build homes at least 100 meters away from rivers and rivulets. He acknowledged that unscientific muck dumping is a key contributor to disaster damage and called for a scientific disposal mechanism to prevent further damage.

 

He directed government departments to locate all new projects at least 100 meters away from water bodies and emphasised the need to study the increasing frequency of cloudbursts. “Combating the challenges posed by disasters is an urgent issue for all of humanity,” he said.

 

To improve disaster preparedness, Sukhu said a new SDRF campus is being established in Palampur (Kangra), and the State Institute of Disaster Management will be housed at Dr. Manmohan Singh Himachal Institute of Public Administration in Shimla. Himachal Pradesh University will also undertake research and development work in this field. He also directed a study on high-risk glacial lakes and called for greater community awareness.

 

In a first, the state government has also criticised the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for its hill-cutting practices and advised them to hire local contractors familiar with the fragile hill ecology.

 

Whether these observations and policy directions will lead to real change on the ground remains to be seen. For now, the people of Himachal—and their mountain home—continue to wait for a safer, more sustainable future.