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A comprehensive and quantitative assessment of Raunthi Gad flash flood, Rishi Ganga catchment, central Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India

Author

Listed:
  • Harish Chandra Nainwal

    (H.N.B. Garhwal University)

  • R. Shankar

    (The Institute of Mathematical Sciences)

  • Aditya Mishra

    (H.N.B. Garhwal University)

  • Sumit Mishra

    (H.N.B. Garhwal University)

  • Ankit Pandey

    (H.N.B. Garhwal University)

  • Sunil Singh Shah

    (H.N.B. Garhwal University)

  • Gambhir Singh Chauhan

    (H.N.B. Garhwal University)

  • Deepak Kumar

    (DBS (PG) College)

Abstract

On 7th February 2021, a catastrophic flash flood occurred in Raunthi Gad, Rishi Ganga catchment of Dhualiganga Basin. It caused the death of around 200 people and devastated the hydropower projects and other associated infrastructure in the downstream areas of the basin. While the extent of damage and devastation in the downstream region around Rini and Tapovan has been extensively reported, the reconstruction of the event has still not been definitively established. Based on an analysis of the data reported in previous papers and our field and remote-sensing data, we present a detailed reconstruction of the events that occurred in Raunthi Gad that morning. Our analysis supports previous reports that the basic cause was that a portion of the hanging glacier located at Raunthi peak (5600 m asl) along with a large amount of rock fell and hit the Raunthi valley at about 1.5 km downstream of the current snout of Raunthi glacier at an elevation of around 3800 m asl. We present evidence, supported by previous data of transient ponding in the region between the impact zone and the confluence of Raunthi Gad and Rishi Ganga. We estimate the flood volume at Rini to be around 10 MCM and the volume of water available in the valley in the form of ice and snow to be around 6 MCM. We argue that this deficit can be accounted for by the debris volume. The material gained around 8 × 1014 J of energy during the initial slide whereas around 1.5 × 1014 J is required to melt the ice and snow.

Suggested Citation

  • Harish Chandra Nainwal & R. Shankar & Aditya Mishra & Sumit Mishra & Ankit Pandey & Sunil Singh Shah & Gambhir Singh Chauhan & Deepak Kumar, 2022. "A comprehensive and quantitative assessment of Raunthi Gad flash flood, Rishi Ganga catchment, central Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 114(1), pages 157-181, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:114:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s11069-022-05385-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-022-05385-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Susanne Schmidt & Marcus Nüsser & Ravi Baghel & Juliane Dame, 2020. "Cryosphere hazards in Ladakh: the 2014 Gya glacial lake outburst flood and its implications for risk assessment," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 104(3), pages 2071-2095, December.
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