It is not just nature’s fury that causes flash floods, but a cumulative effect of of human negligence, greed, and disregard for ecological limits
Natural disasters are more often than not just nature’s fury but a calamity brought about by human callousness, disregarding fragility of nature and exploiting it to hilt. Constructions on the riverbeds is a common site in the hills. During the monsoon season such structures becomes vulnerable as they sit on the path of flood water gushing through the slopes.
And this is what exactly happened in Dharali in Uttarakhand where flash floods played havoc and led to loss of precious lives. It is about time to put a halt such constructions as Uttarakhand has taken first step towards regulating constructions in the state. The devastating disaster in Dharali on August 5 has jolted Uttarakhand into taking an uncharacteristically firm stance on unregulated development.
In the wake of the tragedy, which claimed lives, displaced families, and exposed once again the fragile bond between human overreach and nature’s patience, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered an immediate halt to all Government and private construction near natural water sources, rivers, and streams in disaster-prone areas of the state. The directive also calls for the identification of zones vulnerable to landslides, avalanches, and flash floods, and prohibits new settlements in such locations.
Over 70 per cent of Uttarakhand’s land is under forest cover, yet human interference has been relentless. According to official data, between 2014 and 2024, natural disasters destroyed 3,667 homes and temporary structures completely and damaged thousands more, with 54 landslide-prone sites already identified along the Char Dham route. While such tragedies are often described as “natural,” the roots of the destruction run deeper into human greed, corruption, and disregard for ecological balance. Hillsides have been carved up for hotels, flats, and commercial projects throwing geological guidelines to winds. Riverbanks have been encroached upon, deforestation has been rampant, and safety norms have been treated as inconveniences rather than necessities. In many cases, environmental clearances have been granted through manipulation, bribery, or political pressure, while officials tasked with safeguarding the land look the other way. In this pattern, nature becomes the silent victim — until it strikes back with catastrophic force.
The Dharali disaster should serve as more than a passing wake-up call. Stopping construction in sensitive zones is only the first step; what follows must be strict enforcement of environmental laws, transparent accountability for violators, genuine inclusion of local communities in decision-making, and a shift towards development models that work with nature rather than against it.
Tourism, which sustains much of Uttarakhand’s economy, must also evolve into a more sustainable form. This disaster is an opportunity for redemption. We have to understand that if we continue to exploit nature, we will be laying the foundation for the next disaster.
