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Special Correspondent: Where geography changes history
Report by: Manmohan Bhatt in Uttarkashi
Report by: Manmohan Bhatt in Uttarkashi
Programme: Special Correspondent
Telecast: Saturday, 9:30 pm
Repeat Telecast: Sunday, 12:30 pm
Translation: Tripti Narain
Graphics: Shruti Sharma
Adaptation: Jigme Palden Pazo
The scenario of the marketplace in Bhatwandi Road and Indira Colony of Uttarkashi was engulfed in complete silence. People were moving about, but with fear writ on their faces. All of a sudden, the stillness was broken with the sound of rocks rolling downhill from the mountainous heights of Varunawat. What began with small stones gradually gave way to large boulders, knocking down anything and everything that lay in their path. For almost a month the occurrence was repeated, taking its toll on buildings, structures, shops, market and along with them the culture and identity of the place.
Uttarkashi has always held religious significance in the country, being referred to as the city of Lord Shiva. Just as Shiva is believed to live here, so also the Pandavas chose to come here to repent for killing the Kauravas.
Being an earthquake prone area, Uttarkashi has had its share of earthquakes. However the more recent phenomenon of constant landslides has baffled everybody including geologists who suspect that the 1991 earthquake may prove to be the root cause. Following the last earthquake and the incessant rains of August 2003, deep crevices appeared on the surface of the ground. With water seeping into these crevices, the soil became damp and loosened. After the rains, the hot sunshine caused the soil to dry and shrink, leading to the fatal landslides of September 24, 2003.
The locals living in the region differ in their opinion of the cause of the disaster. Some held that illegal construction at the base of the mountains was to blame. On investigation, it was learned that the district administration had distributed land on leasehold and later, freehold in 1997-98. At the same time the mountain base was being weakened with construction of luxury hotels and other structures. The administration is also said to have displaced the inhabitants forcibly, though this move is likely to have reduced the death toll from the disaster.
The disaster when it occurred was so powerful that it transformed a beautiful city into a massive pile of rubble. Uttarkashi may well said to be doomed with natural disasters creating havoc in the region. In 1991 it was the devastating earthquake and now, it is the landslides that threaten the lives of the locals. Before they can completely recover from the last one, a new threat seems to appear.
However what is perhaps much more disturbing than the actual occurrence of the natural calamities, itself is the attitude of the authorities who seem to have learned absolutely nothing from the events.
Programme: Special Correspondent
Telecast: Saturday, 9:30 pm
Repeat Telecast: Sunday, 12:30 pm
Translation: Tripti Narain
Graphics: Shruti Sharma
Adaptation: Jigme Palden Pazo
The scenario of the marketplace in Bhatwandi Road and Indira Colony of Uttarkashi was engulfed in complete silence. People were moving about, but with fear writ on their faces. All of a sudden, the stillness was broken with the sound of rocks rolling downhill from the mountainous heights of Varunawat. What began with small stones gradually gave way to large boulders, knocking down anything and everything that lay in their path. For almost a month the occurrence was repeated, taking its toll on buildings, structures, shops, market and along with them the culture and identity of the place.
Uttarkashi has always held religious significance in the country, being referred to as the city of Lord Shiva. Just as Shiva is believed to live here, so also the Pandavas chose to come here to repent for killing the Kauravas.
Being an earthquake prone area, Uttarkashi has had its share of earthquakes. However the more recent phenomenon of constant landslides has baffled everybody including geologists who suspect that the 1991 earthquake may prove to be the root cause. Following the last earthquake and the incessant rains of August 2003, deep crevices appeared on the surface of the ground. With water seeping into these crevices, the soil became damp and loosened. After the rains, the hot sunshine caused the soil to dry and shrink, leading to the fatal landslides of September 24, 2003.
The locals living in the region differ in their opinion of the cause of the disaster. Some held that illegal construction at the base of the mountains was to blame. On investigation, it was learned that the district administration had distributed land on leasehold and later, freehold in 1997-98. At the same time the mountain base was being weakened with construction of luxury hotels and other structures. The administration is also said to have displaced the inhabitants forcibly, though this move is likely to have reduced the death toll from the disaster.
The disaster when it occurred was so powerful that it transformed a beautiful city into a massive pile of rubble. Uttarkashi may well said to be doomed with natural disasters creating havoc in the region. In 1991 it was the devastating earthquake and now, it is the landslides that threaten the lives of the locals. Before they can completely recover from the last one, a new threat seems to appear.
However what is perhaps much more disturbing than the actual occurrence of the natural calamities, itself is the attitude of the authorities who seem to have learned absolutely nothing from the events.