Suchergebnisse

PurposeKumarkhera in Narendra Nagar township of Lesser Himalaya (Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand in India) is showing signs of an impending disaster. The potential mass wastage zone may take toll of human lives in the near future and cause damage to residential and commercial area and infrastructure, namely road, telephone and electric lines and water supply lines. This paper aims to document the strategy for managing this potential disaster.Design/methodology/approachStudy of satellite images and field investigations were carried out in order to probe the possibility of potential landslides in the near future and to find out the risk enhancing anthropogenic activities. Furthermore, the elements at risk were also assessed in order to evolve a disaster management strategy.FindingsIt is suggested that a series of prevention and mitigation measures (both structural and non‐structural) with the involvement of the local community are required to avoid an impending disaster in the study area.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the need for reading the signs of landslides and identifying the elements at risk and also calls for timely initiatives, including structural and non‐structural mitigation measures, so that the impact of the disaster can be minimized.

PurposeNaitwar Bazar in the Upper Tons valley Indian Himalaya (Uttarkashi district of Uttaranchal in India) is showing signs of an impending disaster. This settlement has witnessed active mass wastage during rainy season of 2003 which has caused damage to infrastructure (crucial road link), hospital (i.e. the sole health facility) and residential cum commercial area. The active mass wastage zone may take heavy toll of human lives during the rains. Therefore, the paper proposes examining this subject.Design/methodology/approachField investigations were carried out to assess the damage during the past events, probe the causes of mass wasting hazard and to assess the elements at risk in order to evolve a disaster management strategy.FindingsIt is suggested that a series of prevention and mitigation measures (both structural and non‐structural) with the involvement of the local community are required to avoid the impending disaster in the area.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the need for hazard prognosis and vulnerability assessment in the remotest settlements of Himalayas in order to timely plan the awareness initiatives, response mechanism and structural and non structural mitigation measures. An attempt has also been made to bring forth importance of incorporating the disaster management component into the local developmental planning.

PurposeMany villages in the vicinity of the hill township of Mussorie in the Indian Himalayas are witnessing signs of an impending disaster. These villages are witnessing active wastage that might take an heavy toll of human interest during the monsoon season and therefore the paper proposes examining this subject.Design/methodology/approachA detailed study was undertaken in the area of Mussorie.FindingsIt is suggested that a series of prevention and mitigation measures (both structural and non‐structural) with the involvement of the local community are required for ruling out the possibility of any mishap in the area.Originality/valueThis paper highlights the importance of having a disaster management strategies for the region and involving the community with these.