Kedarnath Disaster - Disaster Management and Planning

Kedarnath
Disaster
Disaster Management Planning
Presentation By:
Uday Shankar Sahay

Roll no.: MT/ENV/10005/21
Branch: Environmental Science and Engg.
BIT Mesra, Ranchi
Table of contents
01 Introduction 04
Immediate and
Sustainable Actions
02 Causes
05 Summary
03 Mitigation: Local
Government
01
Introduction
Kedarnath Disaster
Kedarnath
Kedarnath is a town and Nagar Panchayat in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India, known primarily
for the Kedarnath Temple. It is approximately 86 kilometres from Rudraprayag, the district headquarter.
Chronology of Events leading to the Floods
• Between June 13 and 17, the state of Uttarakhand had received an unusual amount of rainfall.
• This led to the melting of the Chorabari glacier and the eruption of the Mandakini river.
• In the early hours of June 17, 2013 a flash flood came down upon the overflowing banks of the
Chorabari lake in Uttarakhand
The catastrophic Kedarnath floods occurred
in June 2013, wreaking havoc in the
picturesque state of Uttarakhand, India.
The floods resulted in tragic loss of life,

displacement of communities, and extensive
damage to infrastructure and livelihoods.
The disaster unfolded due to a complex

interplay of natural factors, including heavy
rainfall, glacial lake outburst floods, and fragile
Himalayan geology.
The floods were exacerbated by human activities

such as deforestation, inadequate infrastructure,
and unplanned development.
Over 89% of the casualties occurred in Uttarakhand. As of 16 July 2013, according to figures provided by the Government of
Uttarakhand, more than 5,700 people were "presumed dead." This total included 934 local residents. The death toll was later
placed at 6,054.
02
Causes
Heavy Rainfall and Glacial Lake
Himalayan Geology
Outburst Floods (GLOFs)
Uttarakhand received a huge amount of rainfall. It caused the melting of Chorabari glacier. The glacier is The Himalayan region is seismically active, and the area
situated near to Kedarnath Temple. One of the glacier’s two snouts, is the source of Mandakini River. The around Kedarnath is no exception. Earthquakes and
melting of the glacier in result caused the eruption of the Mandakini River. Floods affected large part of North tectonic activity destabilized the slopes and triggered
Himalayan state of Uttrarakhand. The worst hit was Kedarnath. The quick melting of the snow from the landslides and avalanches, which contribute to the
Kedarnath Mountain, 6 km from the temple caused a huge damage. It flooded the Chorabari Lake. 375% of the overall flooding.
benchmark rainfall during a normal monsoon. This caused the melting of Chorabari Glacier at the height of
3800 meters and cresting of the Mandakini River, which led to heavy floods near Gobindghat
Lack of Infrastructure and Climate Change

Deforestation and Land Use Changes Preparedness
Unplanned development, deforestation, and construction of The area around Kedarnath lacked proper While the direct link between the Kedarnath floods and
roads, buildings, and hydropower projects altered the natural infrastructure to handle a disaster of this climate change is complex, the changing climate
drainage patterns of the region. These changes lead to increased magnitude. Inadequate warning systems, patterns, including increased temperatures and altered
runoff during heavy rains and exacerbate the impact of flooding. emergency response measures, and evacuation precipitation patterns, can influence the frequency and
plans contributed to the loss of life and property. intensity of extreme weather events like heavy rainfall
and glacial melting.
03
Mitigation Plans
3.1 Relief and Rescue Operations
Large-scale rescue operations were launched to save stranded and affected people. The search and rescue operations continued
day and night, fueled by the urgency to reach as many people as possible before conditions worsened. Rescuers not only provided
physical assistance but also offered emotional support to survivors who had endured traumatic experiences.
Rapid Deployment: As news of the disaster broke, local authorities wasted no time in deploying search and rescue teams to the affected
areas. These teams were composed of army, Airforce, Navy, ITBP, BSF, NDRF, PWD, and local authorities.
Helicopter Operations: The army deployed thousands of personnel, while the Airforce brought in over 45 aircraft for the rescue operation. Given
the challenging terrain and the widespread impact of the floods, helicopters were instrumental in reaching remote and inaccessible locations.
Helicopter rescue teams skillfully airlifted survivors from rooftops, hillsides, and other perilous spots.
Boat Rescues: In areas inundated by floodwaters, boats were used to navigate through submerged streets and rescue individuals stranded
in their homes. These boat operations provided a lifeline to those cut off from help.
Ground Teams: Rescuers on foot traversed difficult terrains, often hampered by debris and landslides, to reach survivors. These teams
provided immediate assistance, assessed needs, and helped people navigate to safer locations.
Swift Evacuation: The primary focus was on the swift and safe evacuation of survivors, including local residents, pilgrims, and tourists, who
found themselves trapped in the midst of the disaster.
Strategic Coordination: The search and rescue efforts were meticulously coordinated among various agencies, including the Indian Army,
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police. This collaborative approach ensured
efficient use of resources and minimized duplication of efforts.
3.2 Detailed Action Plans
Coordinationation
Among Agencies Medical Assistance
Coordinated efforts among various • Mobilized medical teams to provide
agencies for efficient disaster response immediate care
and relief included military, disaster • Established medical camps for treating
response teams, and NGOs injuries and providing essential medications
• Prevented outbreak of waterborne diseases
Emergency Shelters
and Camps
Evacuation Strategy
• Set up temporary shelters and Identifying vulnerable areas, setting up safe assembly
relief camps points, and establishing clear routes for prompt
• Provided accommodation, food, relocation. Coordinated efforts among various
and basic amenities to displaced agencies, transportation arrangements, and priority
survivors focus on vulnerable groups ensured successful
• Served as a safe haven for those evacuation, highlighting the importance of
who had lost their homes preparedness and community engagement in disaster
management.
04
Immediate and Sustainable
Actions
Damage Assesment Identification of High-Risk Public Awareness
Areas
The primary step is to asses the loss to Review of vulnerable and high-risk areas Campaigns to educate residents and
life and property to charter the next prone to floods and landslides. This visitors about disaster risks, safety
corrective actions assessment may help in formulating measures, and how to respond in
strategies to mitigate future risks. emergency situations.
Communication and Information

Dissemination
Enhance communication networks to ensure that timely information and

warnings reach vulnerable areas. This included the use of public address
systems, mobile alerts, and community outreach.
Legislative and Policy

Research and Analysis Changes
Collaborations with research institutions and experts to A review of existing policies related to
establish better understanding of the causes and infrastructure development, land use,
impacts of disaster. This knowledge may help in future and disaster management. Propose
planning and response strategies. changes to ensure better resilience
against future disasters.
05
Impact of Flood
Impact of the Floods
The World Bank estimated that the floods caused losses of more than USD 3.8 billion,
which was more than the Uttarakhand state budget for that financial year.
The floods also caused loss of lives and livelihood:

• Trapped about 300,000 pilgrims and tourists in the valleys
• Left an equal number of people missing
• Forced the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army, and paramilitary troops to evacuate more
than 110,000 people
06
Summary
The way forward..
Multi-Agency Coordination:
Climate Change Adaptation:
Effective disaster management requires seamless
The disaster's link to changing climate patterns reinforced
coordination among various agencies, including local
the need for communities and governments to adapt to
government, military, and NGOs, to optimize resources and
climate-induced vulnerabilities and enhance resilience.
response efforts.
Community-Driven Solutions:
Sustainable Development: Involving local communities in disaster risk reduction
Unplanned construction and deforestation were planning and decision-making processes emerged as
shown to exacerbate disaster impacts, emphasizing a key strategy for effective and culturally relevant
the importance of sustainable development practices solutions.
that consider environmental factors.
Data-Driven Decision Making:
Infrastructure Resilience: Accurate and up-to-date data on weather,
The vulnerability of infrastructure to terrain, and vulnerable populations became
extreme events highlighted the necessity of essential for informed decision-making and
designing and constructing buildings, roads, effective disaster response.
and bridges with resilience against floods
and landslides.
Early Warning Systems: Holistic Approach:

The disaster emphasized the critical Kedarnath demonstrated the need for
need for robust early warning a holistic approach to disaster
systems to alert communities about management, encompassing
impending natural disasters and prevention, preparedness, response,
enable timely evacuation. recovery, and mitigation.
Thanks!
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Kedarnath

Uday Shankar Sahay

Chronology of Events leading to the Floods

The floods resulted in tragic loss of life,

The disaster unfolded due to a complex

The floods were exacerbated by human activities

Lack of Infrastructure and Climate Change

Communication and Information

Enhance communication networks to ensure that timely information and

Legislative and Policy

The floods also caused loss of lives and livelihood:

Early Warning Systems: Holistic Approach:

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