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Time of India
13-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
How traditional mountain wisdom helps hill communities stave off disasters
1 2 3 4 5 6 Dehradun: Despite being the toughest places to live, mountain communities across the globe have long mastered survival skills through unique, locally adapted strategies. Some of these regions -- shaped and reshaped by dynamic geological forces -- face frequent natural hazards like earthquakes, landslides, floods, droughts and avalanches. And in the rugged terrains, the traditional mountain wisdom had often helped these hill communities stave off disasters. In fact, a new study reveals how these age-old practices hold vital lessons for today's disaster-prone world. The detailed study was published in the international journal of Environment and Climate Change titled 'The wisdom of mountains: Traditional knowledge for resilience and disaster risk reduction'. Focusing on Uttarakhand Himalayas while drawing examples from Andes and Alps, the study by Piyoosh Rautela, Meenakshi Bist, Deepshikha Rawat Bhatt and Kumar Raushan shows how traditional knowledge can bolster resilience and reduce risks -- if only we preserve and blend it with modern science. "Drawing from Uttarakhand and other global highlands, our study highlights how traditional knowledge has helped secure water, prevent landslides, build quake-resistant homes and ensure food security -- all through generations of lived experience and innovation," Piyoosh Rautela, the lead author, told TOI. The Himalayas are seismically vulnerable with a history of devastating quakes and increasing seismic risks in places like Nepal and Bhutan. Other mountain ranges, such as the Andes, Alps and Rockies, also face seismic threats. Heavy monsoon rains and cloudbursts in the Himalayas lead to flash floods and landslides, while regions like the Alps and Rockies face similar hazards from rainfall and snowmelt. Droughts have impacted rainfed agriculture in Uttarakhand and other ranges, and western disturbances frequently damage horticultural crops. Avalanches and forest fires add to the threats, as seen in the recent deadly events in Uttarakhand and devastating wildfires in the US and Mediterranean mountains. "Despite these dangers, mountain communities have survived for centuries by developing traditional, adaptive practices in hazard mitigation, resource management and sustainable living — knowledge passed down through generations," Deepshikha Rawat Bhatt said. The study explains how the Himalayas, formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, face frequent earthquakes -- like the devastating 1803 Garhwal quake that shook as far as Delhi. Landslides, too, are a constant threat, with over 350 lives lost in Uttarakhand's Madhyamaheshwar and Kali valleys in 1998 alone. Yet, mountain people have found ways to cope. "These time-tested strategies, deeply intertwined with local ecosystems and cultural traditions, remain highly relevant even today," the authors write, arguing that this wisdom is fading under the pressures of globalisation and modernisation. Take water management, for instance. In Uttarakhand, communities built 'naulas' — shallow, stone-lined wells — to tap groundwater, freeing them from relying solely on streams. These cleverly-built structures, often adorned with sacred carvings, let villages settle on safer, higher ground away from flood-prone valleys. The study notes similar ingenuity elsewhere: in Morocco's Atlas Mountains, 'khettaras' (underground channels) brought water to dry areas, much like the 'qanats' of Persia. But in Uttarakhand, many 'naulas' now sit neglected as piped water takes over -- a loss the study calls urgent to reverse. Landslide prevention is another area where tradition shines. Uttarakhand's people dug 'jungle gools' -- stone-lined channels -- to drain rainwater off slopes, reducing the risk of slides. The study compares this to Japan's 'dosan' channels in the Alps, showing a shared knack for taming nature. Terracing, too, doubled as a stabiliser, turning steep hills into farmland while slowing runoff. Yet, as people leave these hills for cities, abandoned terraces are crumbling, sometimes triggering mudflows -- a problem the study dubs "agricultural terrace induced landslides. " When it comes to earthquakes, Uttarakhand's multi-storied homes are a marvel. Built with wooden beams and stone, these houses — some over 600 years old — survived quakes like the 1803's thanks to smart design: solid platforms, simple layouts and strong joints. "The longevity of these traditional multi-storied houses provides compelling evidence for the effectiveness of these techniques," the study says. Similar timber-and-stone tricks appear in Türkiye's 'hims' buildings, proving this isn't just local luck but a global pattern. Food security also gets a traditional twist. Uttarakhand's Barahanaja system mixed 12 crops in one field — millets, pulses, and more — optimally utilising the vertical space and minimising risk so if one failed, others thrived. The 'sari' rotation kept soil healthy, while dried meats and grains stored in wooden bhagars lasted through lean times. The Andes' potato diversity echoes this, showing how variety beats vulnerability. Even road safety gets a cultural fix. In Uttarakhand, roadside temples at crash hotspots slow drivers down with a quick prayer -- a trick mirrored by stone cairns in the Andes or crosses in the Alps. It's simple but effective, blending belief with behaviour. The catch? This knowledge is slipping away. "Globalisation and modernisation are leading to their gradual erosion," the study warns, pointing to floodplains now crowded with unsafe homes -- a stark contrast to past caution. Joginder Bisht, founder of Uttarakhand-based social organisation Lok Chetna Manch, cites the Darma valley community in Pithoragarh as an example of disaster resilience. "They apply traditional wisdom at every step — from selecting safe land to constructing homes," Bisht told TOI. "They avoid building in landslide-prone zones or areas susceptible to flash floods during the rainy season. During the 2013 monsoon disaster, when much of the state — especially Rudraprayag — suffered extensive damage, the Darma valley saw minimal impact thanks to their vigilance. They continually monitor weather conditions and store essential supplies in the meadows well before the onset of the rainy season," Bisht added.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Monsoon mayhem in U'khand: 65 dead in rain-related incidents in June, double last year's toll
Dehradun: At least 65 people died in June, the first month of this year's monsoon season in Uttarakhand, double the 32 deaths recorded during the same period last year, according to data from the state emergency operation centre. Of the 65 deaths, 45 were due to road accidents and 20 to natural disasters such as landslides and flash floods. Another 18 people are missing -- nine each due to road mishaps and natural calamities. Among the worst incidents was Thursday's accident in Rudraprayag, where a bus carrying Char Dham pilgrims plunged into the Alaknanda river after colliding with a speeding truck, killing five. Seven passengers are still missing with officials saying their chances of survival are slim. On Sunday, a cloudburst in Badkot area of Uttarkashi triggered a landslide that hit a labour camp, killing two construction workers. Seven others are still missing even as heavy rain continues in several parts of the state. The regional meteorological centre has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in nine districts for Monday. Experts say monsoon arrived slightly early this year and began with intense rainfall, triggering widespread landslides and slope failures. They also flagged ongoing road-widening works in the hills, which have destabilised slopes by leaving loose debris at mid-elevations. "Given the volume and intensity of the early monsoon rain, it was inevitable that this debris would come down," said Piyoosh Rautela, former executive director of Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA). Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh also reported similar slope failures. Geologists warn that the natural angle of repose – the steepest angle at which loose material can remain stable – has been disrupted, significantly increasing the risk of landslides and road collapses. Reacting to the 100% rise in fatalities from road accidents and natural disasters, Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Doon-based think-tank, SDC Foundation, said, "This rise in fatalities coincides with a 29% increase in Char Dham pilgrims, with 18.2 lakh visiting the shrines between June 1 and 28, up from 14.1 lakh last year," he said. Nautiyal stressed the need for a systemic response. "The state govt must stop treating each disaster in isolation. With the monsoon intensifying in July and Aug, what's needed is action, not just condolences and announcements," he said.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Himalayas face growing rock-ice avalanche risk as temperatures rise: Experts
Dehradun: The recent rock-ice collapse on Switzerland's Birch Glacier, which buried 90% of the alpine village of Blatten under nine million cubic metres of ice, rock and debris, has reignited global concern over glacial instability amid rising temperatures. While a timely evacuation prevented casualties, the incident highlighted the growing threat of rock-ice avalanches (RIAs) – sudden, massive slope failures triggered by thawing permafrost and heavy debris accumulation. A recent study published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal 'Landslides' (Springer) has raised alarm about the increasing frequency and intensity of such events across High Mountain Asia (HMA), which includes the Himalayas, Karakoram and Tibetan Plateau. An analysis of 60 large-scale RIAs revealed that these disasters claimed at least 1,366 lives and inflicted extensive damage to ecosystems, water resources, infrastructure and local communities. Notable examples include the 2015 Langtang avalanche in Nepal, which killed roughly 350 people, and the 2021 Reni disaster in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, which left over 200 dead and destroyed two hydropower projects. A rock-ice avalanche is the rapid downslope flow of a mixture of rock and ice, often initiated by the collapse of a rock mass on or near a glacier. These events are particularly hazardous in glaciated mountain regions due to their high speeds, long runouts, and potential to evolve into devastating debris flows. The study found that 86% of these avalanches originated from steep, high-altitude slopes — mostly north or northeast-facing — and were primarily triggered by a combination of permafrost thaw, seismic activity and unstable bedrock. Nearly half of the events triggered cascading disasters, increasing their destructive potential tenfold and allowing runouts of up to 30 km. Experts warn that similar conditions are emerging across the Himalayas, where accelerating glacier thinning, warming permafrost, intense monsoonal rains and tectonic activity are converging to create a high-risk environment. "Global warming and temperature variability are altering glacial mass balance and thawing permafrost, heightening the risk of extreme events like rock-ice avalanches," said Dr Farooq Azam, a cryosphere expert at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Nepal. Geologist and former executive director of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, Piyoosh Rautela, explained that cascading events are more likely when avalanches start from small, steep glaciers and feed into high-discharge river systems. "Medium-sized avalanches are particularly dangerous due to their ideal mix of debris volume and mobility," he said. Pierre Yves, senior advisor on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, warned that continued warming, especially in permafrost zones, makes high-altitude Himalayan slopes increasingly prone to collapse. "Urgent hazard mapping and early warning systems are essential, especially in valleys with habitations and critical infrastructure," he said.
