Dehradun: Tragedy has been on a rampage in Uttarakhand, but the state government seems to be in deep slumber.
From November to December 2024, Uttarakhand grappled with road accidents, forest fires, unregulated mining, landslides, and glacial lake threats.
Yet, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s government remains a mere spectator, doing little to tackle these crises at ground zero.
The SDC Foundation’s monthly Uttarakhand Disaster and Accident Analysis Initiative (UDAAI) reports paint a grim picture. Founder Anoop Nautiyal minced no words, calling for urgent government action.
Road Accidents Spike, Supreme Court Steps In
November 4 was a black day. A bus plunged into a gorge in Marchula, Almora, killing 36 and injuring 27. A week later, on November 12, six youngsters lost their lives in Dehradun when their car rammed into a truck. In Manglaur, on November 14, a speeding car hit a divider, claiming four more lives.
The Supreme Court had to intervene. It asked the state government for a detailed report on these fatal accidents by November 21. Nautiyal urged Dhami to launch a "Safe Uttarakhand Campaign" to curb this alarming trend.
Forest Fires Out of Control
Uttarakhand leads the country in forest fires. Between November 2023 and June 2024, 21,033 forest fires ravaged the state. The Forest Survey of India report revealed this shocking data on December 22.
An amicus curiae told the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on November 3 that Uttarakhand lacks the resources and skills to handle forest fires. Clearly, the state is unprepared for this ticking time bomb.
Soapstone Mining Wrecks Bageshwar
Illegal mining is ripping apart Kanda Tehsil in Bageshwar district. Cracks are appearing in villages, threatening lives and homes. The Uttarakhand High Court took suo-motu cognizance and demanded answers.
The NGT also stepped in, issuing strict directives. But the state government’s silence speaks louder than its inaction.
Landslides Shut Highways
A massive landslide at Kwarab on the Haldwani-Almora highway brought traffic to a standstill this winter. The Geological Survey of India suggested drastic measures—level the mountain for stabilization.
NASA added fuel to the fire, warning in December about increasing landslide risks in the Himalayan region.
Glacial Lakes: A Looming Threat
Melting glaciers and swelling glacial lakes are setting up Uttarakhand for future disasters. According to the Forest Department, the Gomukh Glacier has receded by 2 km since 1990. This has increased the distance from Gangotri to Gomukh from 18 km to 20 km.
Floods and landslides could be the next big calamity if this trend continues.
Dhami Govt: A Fence-Sitter?
While Uttarakhand burns and crumbles, the Dhami government looks the other way. Anoop Nautiyal and Prerna Raturi of SDC Foundation are working overtime, analyzing these crises. They’ve released 27 UDAAI reports since October 2022.
An annual report summarizing disasters in 2024 is expected in February. But will the government finally wake up? Or will Uttarakhand continue to be a disaster waiting to happen?