Doom in the Dhauladhars: How reckless development is unleashing nature’s fury

The fragile Dhauladhar hills in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra valley are witnessing an environmental catastrophe, as unchecked construction activities and reckless development have triggered a rise in cloudbursts and flash floods, wreaking havoc on lower-lying areas.

Over the past 15 years, more than a dozen hydroelectric power projects have mushroomed along four major rivers — Neugal, Binwa, Baner, and Gajj—that originate from the Dhauladhar range. These power companies, driven by profit and with scant regard for ecological balance, have extensively blasted hills, cut through mountains for tunnels and dumped massive debris into rivers—disturbing the delicate ecosystem of the region.

A recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, has added urgency to growing concerns. It warns that 45 per cent of Himachal Pradesh is highly vulnerable to landslides, flash floods and avalanches. The multi-hazard vulnerability assessment—conducted by scientists from several IITs—has identified Himalayan regions most at risk due to steep slopes, shifting terrain and growing human interference.

The study found that areas with slopes between 5.9 and 16.4 degrees and elevations up to 1,600 metres are especially susceptible to both floods and landslides. Higher-altitude zones, with slopes ranging from 16.8 to 41.5 degrees, face increased threats of avalanches and landslides, while elevations above 3,000 meters are at the highest risk. Shockingly, despite these warnings, high-rise constructions continue unabated in these hazard-prone areas.

Districts like Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Chamba, situated in river valleys and lower hills, have emerged as hotspots for floods and landslides. Meanwhile, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti face growing avalanche threats due to their altitude and climate vulnerability.

Environmentalists and research bodies have consistently cautioned the government and private developers—especially power project companies, highway contractors, and hotel builders—about the disastrous effects of disturbing the Dhauladhar ecosystem. Yet, those warnings have largely gone unheeded.

In the past decade alone, the state has recorded over 40 major cloudbursts and flash floods. These disasters have claimed more than 6,000 lives and caused destruction of property worth over ?12,000 crore. Tragically, most of these could have been prevented with proactive governance and stricter enforcement of environmental laws.

The study squarely blames human interference—illegal construction on unstable slopes and riverbanks, widespread deforestation, and climate change—for escalating natural disasters in the Himalayan region.

An alarming aspect is the continued defiance of court orders and environmental regulations. Despite repeated warnings from the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, and Himachal’s classification under Seismic Zone V (the most earthquake-prone category), high-rise buildings continue to sprout — often backed by government agencies themselves. The root of the crisis lies in the apathy of the official machinery. Weak enforcement, lack of accountability, and a failure to act on expert advice have left the region dangerously exposed to natural calamities.