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Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand Could Become Increasingly Uninhabitable Due to Recurring Landslides
September 1, 2025

In the Himalayas, landslides have stopped being rare accidents. They are becoming routine, almost predictable. Himachal Pradesh saw more than 400 deaths in July–August 2023 alone, triggered by torrential rains and worsened by reckless slope-cutting for roads and buildings. Uttarakhand has been on the same path. By 2025, nearly 65 per cent of monsoon days featured extreme weather events almost double the proportion in 2022, according to data from the state’s emergency operation centre. Flash floods and landslides in Uttarkashi this season killed at least 48 people, while more than 100 remain missing.

A report by the Centre for Science and Environment makes it clear that from 2013 to 2022, the Himalayan region bore the brunt of disasters: 44 per cent of all such events in India happened here. The mountains suffered 192 floods, landslides, and thunderstorms during that period.The scale of destruct... Read More

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  • Eleven percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans are due to deforestation.
  • One billion tons of water falls every minute. Clouds are like floating reservoirs of water. Like squeezing a sponge, they redistribute water as rain, sleet and snow.
  • The term global warming refers to the long-term warming of the planet. The term climate change encompasses global warming, but refers to the broader range of changes that are happening to our planet.
  • Up to 5 million deaths a year could be averted if the global population was more active- WHO.
  • Insufficiently active people have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to sufficiently active people. WHO
  • People having chronic conditions (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, HIV and cancer) should do at least 2.5-5 hours of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity. WHO
  • 1 person dies from suicide every 40 seconds & almost 8,00,000 people die every year making it the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 15-29 years. who
  • There are only 2 mental health workers per 1,00,000 population in low-income countries & 70 per 1,00,000 population in high-income countries. who
  • The global economy loses about $1 trillion per year in productivity due to depression and anxiety. who
  • Indians are three times more prone to heart attack than Europeans and Americans: Dr Devi Shetty. Financial Express
  • About 800 million tons of carbon are stored in the trees that make up the urban forests of the U.S. nitro fill
  • Mature trees can absorb roughly 48 pounds of CO2 a year and help to reduce ozone levels in urban areas. nitro fill
  • To prevent warming beyond 1.5°C, we need to reduce emissions by 7.6% every year from this year to 2030. (EGR, 2019)
  • 2019 was the second hottest year on record in the last 140 years, just behind 2016, averaging 0.95 of a degree C above the normal (NOAA)
  • Earth naturally sequesters half the CO2 produced by human beings.
  • Highest concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere ever recorded in human history was in July 2021, 416 ppm.
  • On an average, global glaciers have thinned by 10 metres since 1980.
  • Only 57 countries (representing 60 percent of global emissions) are on track to meet their commitments by 2030.
  • Ocean absorbs 93% of the excess heat and 30% of the CO2 emissions produced from human activity. (IPCC, 2019)
  • Around 54% of greenhouse gas emissions come from just 3 of the biggest emitters, USA, China and Europe while the 100 least-emitting countries contribute less than 3%. (Climate Watch, 2020)
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Latest Updates

Heavy Rain, Landslides Shut Schools Across Himachal Pradesh

In Himachal Pradesh, torrential rainfall over recent days has triggered widespread landslides and flash floods, prompting authorities to close educational institutions in multiple districts as a precautionary measure.

The state’s meteorological department issued red alerts for intense rain, especially in hilly zones prone to slope failure. In response, the government ordered the shutdown of both government and private schools in at least five districts. Local administrators cited concerns over road blockages, waterlogging, and the risk of further landslid... Read more

Photo Story

Recent flash floods across the towns and cities in the lap of Himalayan region brought forth destruction, devastation and disaster risks to the forefront. In this photo story we bring to you destruction at the school based on the manjhi river bank, vulnerability of poor household situated adjacent to river bank and reconstruction work post the flashflood in Bhagau Nag area of dharamshala.

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