Context

• Regions in the Himalayas are frequently prone to flood events triggered by erratic climatic conditions, thus advocating the need for climate-resilient cities.

 Indian Himalayan Region

• The Indian Himalayan region is prone to various types of natural disasters, like earthquakes, floods or flash floods, and glacial lake outbursts, etc.
• Such events are related to extreme hydrometeorological conditions leading to debris flow, landslides, etc
• The Alaknanda flood of 1970, Bhagirathi in 1978, Sutlej in 1993 and 2000 and Teesata in 1968 are examples of flash floods by cloudburst.
• IHR is highly sensitive to climate change. Rising temperatures lead to glacier retreat, altering the timing and availability of water resources for downstream communities.

Threats faced in Hindu-Kush Region

• The Hindu-Kush region is spread over eight countries across the world and is one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world.
• The Hindu Kush region is seismically active and is part of the complex convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, causing earthquakes.
• The steep slopes of this region make it prone to landslides and rockslides, which can be triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or rapid snowmelt.
• The mountainous terrain and heavy snowfall in the Hindu Kush make avalanches a common occurrence, especially during the winter.
• Climate change is causing glacial retreat in the Hindu Kush, leading to changes in water availability, and affecting agriculture, hydropower generation, and ecosystem stability.

Need of the hour

• Spatial land-use planning holds the key to multifaceted benefits such as mitigation against floods, landslides, and climate change, while promoting environmental quality.
• Strategic infrastructure placement minimizes susceptibility to disasters. A land use zone and priority determination process can guide settlement placements away from flood-prone zones.
• During floods, real-time flood inundation data is a lifeline for disaster response and relief, enabling timely action and reducing casualties. Satellite-based Earth observation techniques generate flood maps and assess damage to properties, infrastructure, and crops, facilitating swift disaster management.
• There is a need for early warning systems to mitigate the impact of floods. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Nepal, has developed a low-cost grassroots community-based flood early warning system that empowers local communities to safeguard their lives and livelihoods from the effects of floods.
• There is a need for promoting Nature-based solutions such as Planting native trees along river banks, and promoting mangroves, green roofs, etc to address the issue of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation.
• It is important to develop plans for post-flood recovery and rehabilitation, including support for affected communities, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, etc.

Conclusion

• Tackling floods in the Hindu Kush region requires a comprehensive and integrated approach that involves government agencies, local communities, international organizations, and regional cooperation. 
• Proactive measures, early warning systems, and community engagement are essential components of effective flood management.