New flood database aims to safeguard hills

The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), stretching across more than 5,30,000 sq km and home to around 77 million people, is becoming increasingly vulnerable to floods. Fragile mountain ecosystems, rapid urbanisation and the effects of climate change have made disasters more frequent and more destructive. The floods in Himachal Pradesh during July-August 2023 are a stark reminder: over 500 lives were lost, more than 2,500 houses were destroyed and the economic losses crossed Rs 9,000 crore.

To better understand and manage such risks, scientists at the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (GBPNIHE), along with UK and Indian partners, have developed a new tool called HiFlo-DAT (Himalayan Flood Database). This open-access resource compiles historical flood records to identify patterns, causes and impacts that are often missing in official databases.

The findings are revealing. In Kullu district alone, researchers traced 128 flood events over the past 175 years (1846–2020). The data shows that floods have become more frequent in recent decades, especially since the 1990s, reflecting pressures from population growth and new infrastructure. Most floods (55%) were triggered by heavy rainfall, with the majority striking during the summer monsoon.

The impacts have been severe. Roads were damaged in at least 55 floods and bridges in 54, while some tributaries saw repeated floods over time. Vulnerable groups such as migrant labourers — often employed at remote construction sites —suffered the most, accounting for 70% of deaths and 83% of those affected.

According to researchers, existing national and international flood databases often overlook such smaller, localised disasters, which makes planning less effective. HiFlo-DAT fills this gap by providing detailed, district-level data that can be used to update disaster management plans.

Experts recommend that Himachal Pradesh use these insights to revise its disaster management strategies, involve local communities in knowledge-sharing and enforce stricter rules for infrastructure development in sensitive areas. Nationally, they suggest better coordination between flood databases and prioritising hazards unique to the Himalayas, such as glacial lake outburst floods.

Dr Rakesh Kumar Singh, who heads GBPNIHE’s Kullu centre, said the institute has already submitted a new project proposal with the University of Cumbria, UK, to expand this work. The hope is that by learning from the past, the Himalayas can be made safer for both residents and visitors in the future.