Learning from disasters
By: Vinod Chandrashekhar Dixit
It is welcome to note that the Jammu and Kashmir government is keeping a careful watch on two dozen buildings in Doda that were developing cracks. It was a timely decision on the part of the UT administration that all the affected houses have been evacuated and there is no need to create much hype.
Local geologists have timely earmarked an area that they feel is at risk. After the Joshimath crisis, the land subsidence in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda has become a cause of worry for the locals and administration as 21 structures developed cracks. The development brings back the spotlight on settlements and development projects in Himalayan towns.
Reports say that the area is continuously slipping due to various factors including the use of machinery in the construction of roads along with seepage of water resulting in the wreaking of roads alongside the village.
The Doda area falls under seismic zone 4, which indicates a high likelihood of destruction from earthquakes. No doubt, a team of experts from the Geological Survey of India has already inspected a village in Doda district to ascertain the underlying factors for the development of cracks in nearly two dozen concrete buildings.
In Joshimath, cracks spread to new buildings for much of the month of January after having begun abruptly early in the month. Sometimes, a question comes to mind when one witnesses a disaster of this magnitude.
What is the fault of the people and why should they be paying a heavy price for urban development? Everywhere in the Himalayas, we are building roads without geological surveys, which we call “cutting”, and so it is, the cutting of the roots of mountains.
Reports say that the Himalayas are mostly sedimentary rock. The Indian plate is going under the Eurasian plate. This movement happens every year at the rate of 4-5 centimetres. Balanced development and protection of the earth is very necessary, otherwise nature does not know what to do by being displeased with the actions of hmans.
Looking at our past record of failing to learn lessons, someday in the future, these areas will be in the news for consequences, in different forms, of mindless development. When a timely action is not taken, it can incur more expenses than expected.
The biggest reason why Joshimath is sinking is related to the geography of the town. The landslide debris on which the city was established has a low bearing capacity and experts have long warned that it cannot support a high rate of construction. The carrying or bearing capacity of a particular hill area should be considered by authorities before taking any decision regarding development plans. Joshimath is an example that is facing the repercussions of unplanned aggressive development.
If we are to save from further deterioration, and future disasters, we have to focus on sustainable development and not aggressive unplanned development. Don’t we think, we keep on trying to find solutions to small problems but ignoring bigger ones? Can’t we learn from the multiple disasters at Joshimath?
(The author hails from Jodhpur Tekra, Ahmedabad)
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