Zeitschrift für Geographie und Naturkatastrophen
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Disaster in Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand Himalaya: A Special Emphasis on Geomorphic Changes and Slope Instability

Khanduri S, Sajwan KS, Rawat A, Dhyani C and Kapoor S

Deluge of June 2013 is the worst disaster faced by the nation in recent times. Changing rainfall pattern in the previous some years has made heavy localized precipitation all the more common in Uttarakhand and the same is a cause of concern for the state government, meteorologists and other researchers. These incidences cause enormous loss of human lives, property, infrastructures and natural resources. Moreover rainfall in the study area is highly variable even over short distances. Dissected topography and tectonically active nature of the area further promote mass movement and slope instability. Increased indiscriminate anthropogenic intervention along the river banks, on glacial sediments, thick colluviums zones and river borne materials on moderate to steep slope, has often resulted in devastation in the area. The study highlights causes of slope instability together with the geomorphic changes and suggestions for future developmental initiatives within the district.