GSI studying pattern of disasters in Ukhand

The Geological survey of India has begun a study of the pattern of natural disasters in regions located upwards of Dharchula and Munsiyari sub- divisions of the district which fall in seismic zone V and are considered highly vulnerable to calamities.
Landslides triggered by two separate cloudbursts in the region recently left nine persons dead.
A two-member GSI team has reached disaster-hit places of Malpa, Mangti and Madarama village in Baram valley to study reasons and patterns of landslides and contribution of minor earthquakes to natural disasters in the region, District Disaster Management Officer RS Rana said.
Two geologists from GSI have reached the locations which witnessed the disasters recently.

They will study the geological situation of the earth at Madrama, Mangti and Malpa that are hit by natural disasters almost every year during monsoon since 1977, he said.
Suggestions of the team are eagerly awaited to minimise natural disasters in the region which falls into seismic zone five, he said.

The geologists will submit their study report and suggest remedies to minimise natural disasters in the area. The copies of the study will be given to district administration to apply measures suggested by the geologists to minimise natural disasters, Rana said.
Old timers in the district say the area beyond Askot towards Malpa, that falls under earthquake zone V has been studied geologically even before this but the administration never applies measures suggested by geologists which has resulted in frequent landslides and natural calamities which cause loss of lives and properties.

Following the 1977 Tawaghat landslides, the suggestions given by geologist SK Bose of planting over a million trees near river beds and hill tops above have not yet been applied by the district administration, said Kailash Joshi, a veteran journalist based in Pithoragarh.