Recent Flooding in Northern India: Causes and Consequences

In August 2025, Punjab experienced its worst flooding since 1988 with the overflow of the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, resulting in widespread destruction of villages. Additionally, severe rainfall in India-controlled Kashmir and parts of Pakistan led to at least 34 fatalities. The village of Dharali in Uttarakhand was also devastated by a landslide. These incidents highlight a worrying trend in the Indian Himalayan region, reminiscent of past disasters like the 2013 Kedarnath floods and the 2021 Chamoli disaster.

Causes of Disasters

• Experts argue that calling every heavy-rain event a "cloudburst" oversimplifies the issue.
• Disasters in the region are often a combination of climate change and development, as noted by Arun B. Shreshta from ICIMOD.
• The Himalayas, being the youngest mountain range, are inherently unstable and susceptible to landslides, floods, and other natural hazards.

Environmental and Developmental Concerns

• Chief Justice B.R. Gavai expressed concern over deforestation due to tree logs seen floating in floodwaters.
• Justice Gavai and the Supreme Court highlighted the need for development that does not compromise ecological sustainability.
• Navneet Yadav from Caritas India emphasized the need for development plans specific to the region's unique environment rather than adopting those from metropolitan cities.
• Himanshu Thakkar, from the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers, and People, called for independent and honest social and disaster impact assessments before major interventions.

Infrastructure and Development

• Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are seeing increased infrastructure projects, including hydropower plants and road expansions, which are impacting the environment.
• The Supreme Court raised concerns about the safety of infrastructure, such as tunnels, during heavy rains.

Climate Change Impacts

• The average temperature in the Indian Himalayas is rising faster than the global average, leading to reduced snowfall and increased snow melt.
• Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) pose a significant risk due to melting glaciers forming unstable lakes.
• ICIMOD identified over 25,000 glacial lakes in the Himalayas by 2018, posing a growing threat to downstream communities.

Need for Sustainable Solutions

• Infrastructure changes that consider climatic variations and the involvement of local communities for sustainable solutions.
• Building climate literacy among locals to empower self-governance and avoid building critical structures in unsafe locations.
• Deforestation driven by tourism demand is further destabilizing the region, as noted by Thakkar, who suggests development without deforestation.