Earthquakes Floods LandSlides Snow & Fires Other Risks
II.A). Flash Floods : Accelerated runoff dam failure, break up of ice jam and Glacial Lake Outburst.
II.B). River Floods: Slow build up, usually seasonal in river systems.
II.C). Coastal Floods: Associated with tropical cyclones, Tsunami waves, Strong surges.
Factors affecting degree of danger
Depth of water, Velocity, Duration and Date of
rise, Frequency of occurrences, Seasonality, Rock strata, and Vegetation cover. Sutlej
is one of the major rivers systems of the country and the state. Satluj is an antecedent river having deep and
narrow gorges. The river Satluj enters
from Tibet at Shiplika into Kinnaur and forms confluence with its tributary River
Spiti at Khab Bridge. Sutlej is joined by many of its tributaries namely
Parchhu Nalla, Spiti River, Tithang Nalla, Tinku Nalla, Bhagat Nalla, Shaiso
Khad, Kanam Khad, Kirang Khad, Tidong Khad and Rispa Nalla in Pooh
sub-division, Kashang Nalla, Pangi Nalla, Barang Nalla, Baspa river and its
rivulets like Kharogla Nalla, Rupti Nalla, Shong
Nalla, Brua Khad in Kalpa sub-division and Panvi Nalla, Runger Nalla, Yula
Nalla, Rukcharang Nalla and
Figure 4: Flood Map of Kinnaur
District
Bhaba Khad in
Nichar sub-division. It leaves Kinnaur district and enters Shimla district at
Chaura village cutting across the entire district and finally flows into the
Arabian Sea. The Satluj and some of its tributaries are
prone to floods due to Glacial Lake Outbursts (due to heavy snow melting or
blockage of the exit), heavy rainfall or Cloud bursts. As per the history
of floods this river has caused havoc in the district more than once and cut
off the district from rest of the country many a times. Despite all this, there
appears to be total lack of appreciation of the risk vis a vis this hazard. The
entire river course has been crowded with very costly infrastructure.
The muck being generated by the power
projects is being dumped along the main river course. The Project Colonies such
as the one constructed at Tapri which has historically faced many devastation
is virtually on the river course. The repeat of 60 feet high floods in the year
on the pattern of 2000 would cause huge devastation both to the power project,
residential locations and road network.
The Army locations along the river course would also be susceptible to
such event.
Despite
the fact that this area is highly prone to floods there is hardly any effective
and efficient early warning system in place with last mile community. The
origin of past floods has been located at China and through information sharing
and monitoring arrangement has been established after the 2005 floods but mode
of alternating all the stakeholders has not been put in place.
Figure 5: Unscientific Dumping of Muck
along the natural course of river