A recent visit to Uttarkashi, where debris is deposited over a long stretch as a result of havoc caused by rains last year, left executive director (ED) of Disaster Management and Mitigation Centre, Piyush Rautela, shocked. Concerned ED decided to come up with a concrete policy for removing debris that added to his worry since if it was not removed before onset of monsoon, it might be proved disastrous.
Embarking on creating a policy, he sought suggestions from the people for the policy. He said that the policy is required so that work for removing debris can be started soon after the calamity take place. “We want to incorporate suggestions in the policy.”
Though, he believes that the policy will serve the purpose, rising river bed level is major cause of his concern. He also draws attention towards declining strength of river to wash away the debris for certain reasons. He points out that capacity of river to wash away debris was reduced to zero at various points due to dams.
Carrying away capacity of Bhagirathi in the stretch between Chinyalisaud to Tehri was almost zero. Trees and debris washed away in Asi Ganga river flood during last are still deposited at Chinyalisaud. It is a glaring example of deterioration in strength of current of water flow in the river that has negative impact on its strength to erode its own base. It also results in to deposition of debris around lakes of dams.
His visit to the area brought a very significant point into his notice. “There is immediate need to pay attention to find out solution to the problem of deposited debris that may spell doom for several ambitious hydropower projects,” Rautela said.
The visit to the region acted as eye opener for him. “One cannot imagine grimness of the situation while sitting here. Solution to the problem can be searched by taking concrete steps with focus on measures those help in restoring natural current of water flow that has power to wash away debris caused by landslide as well as erodes its bottom that stops elevation of riverbed.”
He said that this was high time so accelerated efforts were required to find out solution, and he was doing what he could do on his own. He said that debris disposal policy should be formed in order to carry out infrastructure development in the area. He also laid emphasis on a clear policy for mining in riverbed.