Himalayan extreme weather risks rising due to climate change and human activity

The Indian government has announced that climate change and human activity are driving an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in the Himalayan region. This includes rising risks of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and extreme rainfall.

In response to these escalating disasters, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, the Centre has established a Multi-Sectoral Central Team (MSCT). This expert group includes representatives from the National Disaster Management Authority, the Central Building Research Institute, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Indore, among other agencies.

The MSCT is tasked with scientifically assessing the causes of these weather events, analyzing ground conditions in heavily affected areas, and recommending long-term mitigation strategies. The assessment also incorporates data from the India Meteorological Department, the Central Water Commission, and the Geological Survey of India. Experts noted that accelerated snowmelt and moraine instability are contributing to increased runoff and slope failures in high-altitude areas.