Uncertainty over cause of Uttarkashi flash flood; ISRO assesses damage
Days after a flash flood and avalanche of debris deluged Dharali in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, the exact cause of the disaster remains uncertain. Rescue and relief operations have delayed scientific investigations. While the IMD suggests it was not a cloudburst based on available data, experts speculate on glacier lake overflow or heavy rain triggering a landslide. Forecasting such events is challenging due to unmapped stretches of the Upper Himalayas and limited public access to AWS data. ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre has conducted a "rapid assessment" using satellite images to determine the extent of destruction and is carrying out scientific analysis to ascertain the triggering event.
Key Points
- The cause of the recent flash flood and debris avalanche in Dharali, Uttarkashi, remains uncertain, hindering scientific investigations.
- Initial data from the IMD does not indicate a cloudburst, but experts suggest possibilities like glacier lake overflow or heavy rain-triggered landslides.
- Forecasting such events in the Upper Himalayas is difficult due to unmapped areas and limited public data from automatic weather stations.
- ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre is using high-resolution satellite images for rapid damage assessment and to determine the triggering event.
- The National Disaster Management Agency is coordinating investigations into the disaster.
Exam Facts
- The flash flood occurred in Dharali, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand.
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) did not confirm a cloudburst.
- ISRO's National Remote Sensing Centre used Cartosat-2S satellite images for assessment.
- Vineet Kumar Gahalaut is the Director of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun.
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