The past six weeks of torrential rain in the hilly states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh — both with some of the highest mountain ranges in the region, accompanying glaciers and mighty rivers — have badly hit many cities and villages.
In late 2022, Joshimath town in Uttarakhand came under a crisis, when land began sinking from various factors, including manmade ones such as years of unplanned construction, hydroelectric power projects and the lack of a proper drainage system. In 1991, an earthquake had almost flattened Uttarkashi. That the area is fragile has been established beyond doubt.
The neighbouring State of Himachal Pradesh has tapped into the potential of being a tourist destination and there has been rampant development here too. Shimla and Manali serve as the gateway to higher mountain regions where tourism plays a huge role in the economy.
