The Land of Gods has turned into a ghost town. The images of devastation
in Uttarakhand due to flash floods and landslides have sent shivers
down one`s spine. The north Indian state which used to boast of some of
India’s mightiest rivers and tributaries is now crying aloud the stories
of devastation, destruction and death. The scene of nature’s fury is so
horrible that it is now being dubbed as a ‘Himalayan tsunami’.
The images of destroyed homes, crumbled buildings, and thousands of
people trapped in the debris, stranded in the hills tell a horrid tale.
The rage of overflowing rivers depicts how nature exacts revenge.
Environmentalists have noted that the act of mindless construction of
homes and hotels on the banks of the rivers, mushrooming hydel projects,
construction of dams, cutting mountains in the Himalayan region are all
the reasons behind the devastation of such mammoth proportions.
The floods have exposed how vulnerable Indian disaster management system
is. Even days after the tragedy, the operation to airlift those
stranded in rain-ravaged parts is not as swift as it is expected to be.
Although the Uttarakhand government has said that over 33,000 people
have been rescued, more than 50,000 pilgrims are still stranded at
various places across the region, ravaged by floods and landslides.
Forty-five aircraft and helicopters are involved in the rescue effort
. The personnel of National Disaster
Response Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police are trying hard to rescue
those stranded at various locations. The Army has deployed more than 100
special forces’ troops. But the point here is, how much resources have
they been provided with?
A number of accounts of survivors reveal the difficulties being faced by
them. Braving cold and hunger, the stranded people have expressed
gratitude towards the Indian Air Force and Army personnel for lending
them a helping hand. But the criticism of the government is widespread.
The plight of those stuck in hills reveals the failure of the government
to provide basic necessities to those who are in dire need of them.
It`s true that the government is sending food packets, but are they
being received by those who actually need them. And when they are
airdropped, the receivers complain of receiving food which is stale.
One has to acknowledge the difficulties being faced by those involved in
rescue activities in carrying out their operation at high altitudes.
But how can the failure of state disaster management system be ignored?
In April, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had issued a report
stating that Uttarakhand has no disaster management plan to speak of. It
also pointed out that that the State Disaster Management Authority,
which was constituted in October 2007, has never met till date.
"The state disaster management plan was under preparation and actionable
programmes were not prepared for various disasters," the report says,
indicating that the ecological system is at stake in India.
Not just plagued by inadequate communication system, the state disaster
management authority didn`t even have basic personnel in place. Lack of
funds for the state`s disaster management in 2011-12 adds to the apathy
of the authorities who are supposed to be ready to ward off any
emergencies.
As soon as the tragedy occurred, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the
party in opposition, was quick in blaming the ruling party for the
"man-made disaster". It shows the quality of politicians the country
has, who in the time of emergencies indulge in blame game than
contributing anything towards relief work. BJP must not forget that it
was in power for five years preceding last year’s Assembly Elections.
Why is the common man paying price for the inexistence of Uttarakhand disaster plan???
