Climate change driving extreme rainfall in Himalayas, anthropogenic factors adding to risk: Govt

New Delhi: Climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall events in the Himalayan region, while human-related (anthropogenic) factors are adding to the overall disaster risk, the Centre informed Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The response came to a question on whether climate change and unscientific construction activities were contributing to the rise in cloudbursts incidents and other disasters in Himachal Pradesh.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said assessments by weather experts, scientific institutions and state authorities indicate that climate change has increased the intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall events in the Himalayan region.


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As per a Multi-Sectoral Central Team (MSCT) study, "anthropogenic factors have also contributed to the increased risk in the region", Rai said.

The Centre had constituted the MSCT in view of the increasing frequency and intensity of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides and extreme rainfall event in Himachal Pradesh, the minister said.

The team comprises experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Indore, and various concerned agencies.

Inputs from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Central Water Commission (CWC) and Geological Survey of India (GSI) have also been incorporated.

The MSCT has been tasked with scientific assessment of the causes of increasing extreme weather events in the state, including studying geographical and ground conditions of worst-affected areas and examining data received from various agencies.

It will also recommend long-term measures to minimise the impact of such disasters, Rai said.

The government said accelerated snowmelt is one of the factors contributing to high runoff in high-altitude areas.

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Faster melting of snow can release large amounts of water into already vulnerable mountain terrains, increasing the flow of water downstream.

The response also cited "moraine instability" as a contributor to off-season slope failures and high runoff.

Moraines are accumulations of rocks, soil and other debris in glacial formations. When such loose material becomes unstable, it can contribute to slope failures and the movement of large amounts of water and debris.