Research Papers published by DMMC faculty
Implications of ignoring the old disaster management plans: Lessons learnt from the Amparav tragedy of 23rd September, 2004 in Nainital district of Uttaranchal (India), Piyoosh Rautelaand R.K. Pande, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Rajpur Road, Dehradun – 248 001 (Uttaranchal), India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 14 (3), 2005, 388-394.
Abstract
Ground subsidence: A silent disaster in Himalaya, Piyoosh Rautela, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Utaranchal Secretariat, Dehradun – 248 001, Uttaranchal, India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 14 (3), 2005, 395-406.
Abstract
Indigenous Technical Knowledge Inputs for Effective Disaster Management in the Fragile Himalayan Ecosystem, Piyoosh Rautela, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Dehradun – 248 001, (Uttaranchal), India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 14 (2), 2005, 233 - 241.
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Full Paper
Disaster management strategy for avoiding landslide induced losses to the villages in the vicinity of the Himalayan township of Mussoorie in Uttaranchal (India),Aniruddha Uniyal and Piyoosh Rautela, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Rajpur Road, Dehradun – 248 001, (Uttaranchal), India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 14 (3), 2005, 378 - 387.
Abstract
Non-Monsoonal Landslides in Uttaranchal Himalaya (India): Implications upon Disaster Mitigation Strategy, Piyoosh Rautela and R.K. Pande, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre,Uttaranchal Secretariat,Rajpur Road, Dehradun – 248 001 (Uttaranchal), India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 15 (3), 2006, 448 - 460.
Abstract
Increasing Vulnerability of the Himalayan Urban Centers,Piyoosh Rautela, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Dehradun – 248 001, (Uttaranchal), India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 14 (2), 2005, 242 - 249.
Abstract
Traditional inputs in disaster management: the case of Amparav, North India, Piyoosh Rautela and R.K. Pande, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Department of Disaster Management, Government ofUttaranchal, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Rajpur Road, Dehradun – 248 001, (Uttaranchal), India, International Journal of Environmental Studies, 62 (5), 2005, 505 – 515.
Abstract
Full Paper
New methodology for demarcating high road accident risk-prone stretches in mountain roads, Piyoosh Rautela1,and Swarn Shikher Pant, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre,Department of Disaster Management (Government of Uttarakhand),Uttarakhand Secretariat, 4 Subash Road, Dehradun 248 001, India, Current Science, 92 (8), 2007, 1157 – 1161.
Abstract
Full Paper
Insight into the nature of road accidents from data on injured and dead, Piyoosh Rautela and Ravish Sharma, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Dehradun, India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 13 (5), 2004, 374 - 378.
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Risk management for vibrant economic growth and sustained development, Piyoosh Rautela, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Dehradun, India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 15 (4), 2006, 585 - 597.
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Redefining disaster: need for managing accidents as disasters, Piyoosh Rautela, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Dehradun, India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 15 (5), 2006, 799 - 809.
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Implications of ignoring the old disaster management plans: Lessons learnt from the Amparav tragedy of 23rd September, 2004 in Nainital district of Uttaranchal (India), Piyoosh Rautelaand R.K. Pande, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Rajpur Road, Dehradun – 248 001 (Uttaranchal), India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 14 (3), 2005, 388-394.
Purpose of this paper: The mass memory of the disaster events is often short and it often causes violation of the mitigation principles propounded in the past and thus leads to yet another disaster. The paper discusses the causes of the landslide event at Amparav and attempts to bring forth the importance of mass awareness regarding the past disaster events in their surroundings.
Design/ methodology/ approach: On the aftermath of the landslide tragedy of 23rd September, 2004 at Amparav in Kumaun Himalaya (Nainital district of Uttaranchal in India) field investigations were carried out to probe the causes of the slide and lapses that resulted in tragedy at a place where detailed mitigation plan had been implemented.
Findings: The investigations by the authors reveal that a detailed landslide management strategy was prepared and implemented to protect this fragile zone almost a century ago, with thorough understanding of the mass wastage processes. Implementation of this plan safeguarded this zone from major landslide events for long but the lack of awareness regarding the same amongst the masses led to the violation of the very spirit of this plan. This culminated into the Amparav tragedy that took toll of three human lives, besides the loss of huge public and private infrastructure.
Research limitations: The old study report that led to the landslide management strategy in the area could not be assessed and the article is based upon the information provided by the village elders.
Implications: The paper is an attempt to bring forth the finer details of the landslide management plan enacted in the region almost a century ago. It suggests the need of detailed surveys and planning for enacting any disaster management plan.
Practical implications: This article would bring forth the importance of documenting the disaster management strategies of the region and sharing the significance of these with the masses so that they are deterred from even unintentionally violating the spirit of these plans.
Paper type: Research paper.
Ground subsidence: A silent disaster in Himalaya, Piyoosh Rautela, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Utaranchal Secretariat, Dehradun – 248 001, Uttaranchal, India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 14 (3), 2005, 395-406.
Purpose of this paper: It is observed that the slow onslaught disasters do not normally catch media attention as these often do not result in human casualties. Inadequate media attention results in insufficient rehabilitation support for the victims. The paper aims at highlighting the problem of ground subsidence in the Himalayan terrain together with the hardships of the victims.
Design/ methodology/ approach: The paper is based upon the detailed field investigations carried out by the author in the remote Himalayan habitations of Garbyang in Dharchula block of Pithoragarh, Talla Dhumar and Umli – Bhandarigaon in Munsyari block of Pithoragarh and Bagi in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttaranchal in India. All these habitations are being affected by ground subsidence and the inhabitants of these villages are facing severe resource crisis.
Findings: Garbyang village in Central Himalaya is observed to be situated over the varve deposits laid down in the proglacial lake abutting against Chialekh ridge and is witnessing the problem of ground subsidence resulting in the destruction of the once thriving and prosperous habitation. The studies relate the subsidence at Garbyang with the seismicity in the region as also the subsequent toe erosion and downslope mass movement. The other sites discussed in the paper are witnessing the problem of ground subsidence due to the active toe erosion by rivers and streams.
Research limitations: There exist no records of the exact date of initiation of the ground subsidence in the investigated areas and these are grossly based upon the information provided by the village elders.
Practical implications: The article would help in making the disaster managers responsive to the problems the masses are facing due to ground subsidence in this fragile zone and this would result in mustering resources for reducing the hardships of the masses.
Paper type: Research article.
Indigenous Technical Knowledge Inputs for Effective Disaster Management in the Fragile Himalayan Ecosystem, Piyoosh Rautela, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Dehradun – 248 001, (Uttaranchal), India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 14 (2), 2005, 233 - 241.
Purpose of this paper: Survival strategy of the masses has led to the evolution of area specific, locally pertinent and effective ways of mitigating natural disasters. This vital knowledge base is however often ignored and is being fast eroded. The paper aims at highlighting the relevance of these practices that put forth most cost affective and acceptable means of mitigating disasters.
Design/ methodology/ approach: The paper is based upon the extensive field studies and in depth probe of the traditional resource management practices of the people of the remote Himalayan terrain by the author and it reflects his belief in the acumen of the masses.
Findings: The paper discusses the relevance of the various disaster management practices of the region. During the course of their habitation in the disaster prone Himalayan terrain the indigenous people through experience, experimentation and accumulated knowledge devised ways of reducing their vulnerability to natural hazards. Studies show that their understanding was fairly evolved in the areas of earthquake, landslide and drought management and had devised efficient ways of mitigating the effects of these.
Research limitations: The paper reflects author’s individual understanding and interpretation of the practices based upon his interactions with the masses.
Practical implications: Improvisation upon the traditional practices of disaster management has a major role to play in putting forth cost effective and sustainable means of shielding the community against the impact of natural disasters. This article would be putting forth an alternative approach of interpreting the traditional practices of the masses and would lead to appropriate innovations for better disaster management in the region.
Paper type: General review
Disaster management strategy for avoiding landslide induced losses to the villages in the vicinity of the Himalayan township of Mussoorie in Uttaranchal (India),Aniruddha Uniyal and Piyoosh Rautela, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Rajpur Road, Dehradun – 248 001, (Uttaranchal), India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 14 (3), 2005, 378 - 387.
Purpose of this paper: The field investigations carried out by the authors reveal that various natural and anthropogenic activities in the area around the Himalayan township of Mussoorie are enhancing the vulnerability of the surrounding villages to landslides. The paper is a warning signal for the concerned authorities who need to initiate timely action for reducing the threat.
Design/ methodology/ approach: Landsliding has already been initiated in the area discussed in the paper and the authors have utilized Geographic Information System together with satellite remote sensing tools and field investigations for the present study that is an attempt to study the factor of risk to the masses in the area.
Findings: The studies reveal that human populations are at risk in the habitations discussed in the paper. The causes of landslides have been discussed in the paper and it is made clear that increasing anthropogenic interventions in the fragile terrain are leading to increased pace of mass wastage.
Research implications: The paper discusses a number of structural and non- structural measures for warding off the threat of a major disaster in the area.
Practical implications: Based upon their individual experiences the authors have highlighted the importance of people’s participation and awareness in mitigation. Though based upon technical investigations and analysis the paper discusses a number of simple, practical and cost effective ways of reducing the impact of the disaster. These can well be replicated in other areas.
Paper type: Research paper
Non-Monsoonal Landslides in Uttaranchal Himalaya (India): Implications upon Disaster Mitigation Strategy, Piyoosh Rautelaand R.K. Pande, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre,Uttaranchal Secretariat,Rajpur Road, Dehradun – 248 001 (Uttaranchal), India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 15 (3), 2006, 448 - 460.
Purpose of this paper: Climatic conditions as also the agrarian economy of the Indian subcontinent is is greatly affected by the monsoonal winds that are characterized by heavy rains between June and September. The paper discusses two major landslide events that took place during non-monsoonal season (after the withdrawal of rains) and attempts to figure out the implication of these events upon administrative preparedness for managing the disaster events in the region.
Design/ methodology/ approach: The papers discuss two landslides of the recent past; Uttarkashi landslide of 23rd September, 2003 and Ramolsari landslide of 30th March, 2005 that took place after the seizure of the monsoonal rains and is based upon the first hand field observations of the authors. The paper discusses the likely causes of the slides along with the implications of this new trend of landslides taking place in the non-monsoonal season upon the Disaster Management strategy of the state.
Findings: The investigations by the authors reveal that precipitation could be considered the trigger in case of Uttarkashi landslide but there exist no evidences to suggest that the Ramolsari landslide could have been triggered by increased pore water pressure. Slow ongoing and hard to observe processes of weathering seem to have initiated this slide.
Research limitations: For the purpose of metrological parameters the study relies upon the data of the state run rain gauges that do not have an appreciably good spatial distribution. Rainfall data of the nearest observation points is therefore taken as representative of the rainfall in the area under present focus. For Ramolsari the rainfall data of Tehri is used while Uttarkashi has a rainfall recording observatory.
Implications: The paper is an attempt to break the myth that landslides are only confined to monsoonal months that normally have concentrated rains and can be expected in other seasons as well and therefore disaster alert levels cannot be relaxed during non-monsoonal season. The communication also attempts to identify slowly ongoing weathering processes that might cause to slope failure without rains and therefore paves way for identifying similar landslide prone areas.
Practical implications: Reducing human miseries in the event of any disaster is the main aim of all Disaster Management related initiatives. Response time is critical for both saving human lives and reducing human miseries. The article attempts to highlight the importance of keeping the preparedness levels high for prompt post-disaster operations all through the year. This article advocates redefining high alert period for landslide hazard and for following high alert all through the year particularly in areas prone to landslides.
Paper type: Research article
Increasing Vulnerability of the Himalayan Urban Centers,Piyoosh Rautela, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Dehradun – 248 001, (Uttaranchal), India, Disaster Prevention and Management, 14 (2), 2005, 242 - 249.
Purpose of this paper: The paper aims at highlighting the issue of increasing vulnerability of the townships of the Himalayan terrain of Uttaranchal and probes into the reasons thereof so that timely corrective measures can be worked out.
Design/ methodology/ approach: The paper is based on vast experience of the author in the disaster prone Himalayan terrain and his understanding of the early symptoms of various disasters as also that of the factors affecting the vulnerability of the populations.
Findings: The paper highlights the fact that unplanned growth, lack of appropriate developmental initiatives and regulations together with high concentration of population have exposed the populace of the Himalayan urban centers to the risk of landslides, earthquakes, flash floods, fires and epidemics.
Research limitations: The paper reflects author’s individual understanding of the various factors affecting the vulnerability of the masses and interpretation of his observations around the urban centers discussed in the paper.
Practical implications: There is an urgent and pressing need to address the issue of enhancing urban vulnerability in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and the solutions to the problem are seen in seeking the cooperation of those effected and the introduction of well thought of and planned techno-legal regime that contributes to the sustainable development of the region, besides reducing the vulnerability of the populace of the urban centers.
Paper type: General review
Traditional inputs in disaster management: thecase of Amparav, North India, Piyoosh Rautela and R.K. Pande, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, Department of Disaster Management, Government ofUttaranchal, Uttaranchal Secretariat, Rajpur Road, Dehradun – 248 001, (Uttaranchal), India, International Journal of Environmental Studies, 62 (5), 2005, 505 – 515.
As suggested by field records, elaborate mitigative planning for the protection of an area aroundAmparav in North India from the threat of landslide have been in place for nearly a century. The landslidemanagement plan incorporates essentials of both structural and non-structural mitigativemeasures that reflect a thorough understanding by the landslide managers of the mass wastageprocesses involved. Implementation of this plan safeguarded this highly fragile zone that is neotectonicallyactive and that has historically been threatened by stream erosion. However, critical lack ofawareness of the plan among ordinary villagers led to its being rendered inoperable; culminating inthe Amparav tragedy of the 23 September 2004 that took three human lives and destroyed hugeamounts of public and private property and infrastructure facilities.
Keywords: Landslide; Himalaya; Mitigation strategy; North India; Nainital; Disaster Management
New methodology for demarcatinghigh road accident risk-prone stretchesin mountain roads, Piyoosh Rautela1,and Swarn Shikher Pant, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre,Department of Disaster Management (Government of Uttarakhand),Uttarakhand Secretariat, 4 Subash Road, Dehradun 248 001, India, Current Science, 92 (8), 2007, 1157 – 1161.
There is a growing global concern over burgeoningroad accident-induced losses. Terrain conditions in themountainous regions make roads prone to fatal accidents.
Sinuosity (high curvature), gradient and widthof the hill roads are identified as major factors makingthese roads accident-prone and based upon mutualcorrelation of these basic road parameters, a methodologyis evolved for delineating high accident riskpronestretches of mountain roads. This methodologyis used for demarcating differential probability of accidentrisk along the National Highway and Main DistrictRoad network of Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand(India) and the results are correlated with real roadaccident database. Application of the proposed methodologythus exhibits potential for reducing the frequencyof road accidents by adopting suitable sitespecificmeasures at high accident risk-prone roadstretches. These could be in the form of bringing forthawareness and by initiating suitable changes in thetechno-legal regime for controlling vehicular traffic asalso initiating structural measures and providing forquick post-accident search, rescue and relief facilities.These would reduce frequency of road accidents andprovide quick relief to accident victims and at the sametime reduce economic and human toll of road accidents.