Dams, deforestation proved the last straw

Large-scale deforestation and massive construction of dams, especially large ones, have acted as catalyst in severe floods in Uttarakhand that have affected lakhs of people, an NGO report claimed on Friday. It has left around 5,000 missing and 75,000 stranded in Rudraprayag alone.

“Large-scale deforestation and massive construction projects, especially large dams and hydro power projects, have weakened the ecosystem of the region and the accompanying effects of climate change is further galvanizing the destruction (in Uttarakhand),” said Sehjo Singh, director of Programme & Policy of ActionAid India .

“We are particularly worried about the rampant dam construction all over the state which affects hundreds of villages along the banks of the Alaknanda, Bhagirathi and Mandakini. With no forest left to hold the earth, the threat of major landslides looms large,” she added.

ActionAid’s volunteers, who are working in the flood affected area, said that roads, houses and animals have simple washed away.  “The situation here is catastrophic. People’s houses and animals have been washed away and many roads have simply disappeared,” said Debabrat Patra, ActionAid India’s regional manager for Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

“In Rudraprayag, Kedarnath temple has been badly damaged by a landslide and nearly 75,000 pilgrims are stranded. Our partners in the region have reported that nearly 5,000 are still missing in Kedarnath, presumed dead,” Patra added.
Patra said rain in the weeks ahead is what is worrying the rescue workers.

Meanwhile, as government’s immediate focus is to provide relief to stranded pilgrims and tourists, the NGO said it will look into providing relief to locals. “We are particularly concerned about the hard to reach villages in remote areas.

Currently our grassroots partners are conducting rapid assessment of the  affected areas which is proving to be difficult as the communication systems are down and approach roads to many of the affected villages are choked or under water,” Sehjo added.