Title

Hazard vulnerability of Himachal Pradesh

Bio

Dr. S.S. Randhawa has been associated with Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment since 1993 and presently working as Principal Scientific Officer. Born on 26th November 1965, joined Honors School in Geology , Punjab University Chandigarh in the year 1984 and did B.Sc. (Hons.) from Department of CAS in Geology, PU Chandigarh in 1987 and completed his Masters in 1988 and then M.Phil in 1989 and PhD in 2008 from Punjab University, Chandigarh. He has also done B.Lib & Information Science from Punjab University Chandigarh 1991.While working in the State Council has carried out various studies particularly on the mapping of natural resources in Himachal Pradesh using space data, exploration of ground water using space data, and various geotechnical studies particularly for NHPC, HPSEB in Himachal Pradesh as well as in Jammu & Kashmir. Also has the credit to undertake snow and glacier studies in Himachal Pradesh for the first time using satellite data along with Space Applications Centre Ahmadabad and generated the complete inventory of Himalayan glaciers in Himachal Pradesh on 1:50,000 scale. Also carried out studies for the mapping and management of Natural Disasters in Himachal Pradesh using satellite data and also carried out Training Need Assessment (DM) in Himachal Pradesh for various stakeholder departments as a major input for the Govt of Himachal Pradesh. Presently coordinating activities of the Himachal Pradesh State Centre on Climate Change established under the aegis of the State Council for Science Technology & Environment. Has the credit to work with SWISS Scientist and carried out a study under Indian Himalayan Climate Adaptation Programme (IHCAP) in Kullu district and undertook mapping of Permafrost in Indian Himalayan for the first time using space data. Member of the Indian Scientist team who visited Switzerland in 2015 on a exposure visit under ICHAP program. Besides this, visited China (two times), Austria and Germany and presented the work done in Himachal Pradesh on glaciers and disasters using space data. Has published than 35 Research Papers in various National & International Journals and also co author in the one of book chapter along with Swiss Scientists on GLOFs (Glacial lake Outbursts Floods).

Abstract

Hazard Vulnerability of Himachal Pradesh

S.S.Randhawa, Principal Scientific officer

State Centre on Climate Change, HP Council for Science Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE),Vigyan Bhawan, Bemloe, Shimla-1,H.P.

Himachal Pradesh a small hilly state forms a part of the North-western Himalaya are the youngest mountain chains in the world and are still active and are in the building phase. The environmentally fragile and ecologically vulnerable Himalayan part has rendered the state highly vulnerable and sensitive from the natural disaster point of view. Physiographically the state has been divided into three broad units viz. Lower or Outer Himalaya, Middle Himalaya and the Higher or Great Himalaya and each unit is susceptible to different types of hazards depending upon the lithological, soils and local climatic variations.

Based on the qualitative weightage matrix developed for the State of H.P. The vulnerability for the State was defined for different hazards such as earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, industrial hazards, construction type and density of population. District wise matrix was prepared by evaluating the risk severity. The evaluation also gives weightage to the density of population likely to be affected. The matrix also includes the evaluation of hazards likely to be induced on account of development of projects such as hydel projects, roads industries etc. In case of earthquake vulnerability, the districts Kangra ,Hamirpur and Mandi fall in a very high vulnerable category on the basis of the matrix devised. The districts which falls in high earthquake vulnerability are Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur and part of Kangra and Shimla districts, whereas the moderate and low vulnerable districts are Una, Bilaspur ,Sirmour and Solan,Shimla and Lahaul & Spiti districts respectively. The landslide vulnerability in case of Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur and part of Kangra and Shimla districts is high followed by Kangra, Mandi, Bilaspur, Shimla,Sirmour and Lahaul & Spiti districts falling in moderate vulnerable category. The areas falling in the low vulnerable category are in the districts of Una, Hamirpur and Solan. The avalanche hazard vulnerability map suggests that the districts of Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnuar are very highly vulnerable followed by Chamba, Kullu and part of Kangra and Shimla as moderate vulnerable areas whereas the remaining districts fall in the category where avalanche hazards are nil. The flood hazard vulnerability map indicates that the areas falling in the districts of Chamba, Kullu ,Una and Kinnaur falls in high vulnerable districts where as the Lahaul & Spiti, Mandi, Shimla , Kangra,Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan and Sirmour falls in moderate and low vulnerability areas. The overall vulnerability of the state on the basis of the matrix clearly suggests that the district Chamba, Kinnuar Kullu and part of Kangra and Shimla falls in very high vulnerable risk. Similarly district Kangra, Mandi, Una ,Shimla and Lahaul and Spiti falls in high vulnerable risk status. The district Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan and Sirmour falls in moderate vulnerable risk status. The disaster management strategies and infrastructure required to be evolved by taking the above factors into consideration.