The Uttarakhand disaster of June 16-17 was one of the biggest disasters in recent history which shocked both the Government and the people due to the element of surprise and the resulting destruction.
The disaster has thus opened a new vista of research and analysis in the field of hydrometeorology coupled with the process of geomorphology that resulted in floods and associated loss of human life, property and resources. A two-day workshop on ‘Mountain meteorology and landslides-way forward with special reference to Uttarakhand’ will begin at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) on Monday.
According to the institute scientists, several factors like meteorology, geology and hydraulics among others have come to play and the understanding of this disaster can be properly addressed only through a multi specialisation team covering various aspects. To draw proper lessons from a disaster of such a high magnitude for future, it is time to study this with a large lens and focus and synthesise the knowledge that can be put to application to understand the event itself.
Some reckon that never in the history of India or for that matter in the whole world had such an event occurred in young mountainous terrain as high as the Himalayas in such a short time. The two-day workshop being organised by WIHG and co-sponsored by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will dwell on the various aspects of this disaster and lessons to be learnt from it.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna will deliver the inaugural address on the first day of the workshop as the chief guest while NDMA member VK Duggal will make his observations. The valedictory session on Tuesday will be chaired by the State Disaster Management minister Yashpal Arya. More than 22 selected experts, scientists, administrators and disaster managers from prestigious organisations all over the nation will be making their presentations in the workshop.