Why effects of climate change are most deadly and seen in hills of Himachal and Uttarakhand

The effects of climate change are particularly seen in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand due to their geographical, ecological, and climatic changes.

These states, located in the Himalayan region, face maximum impacts because of their fragile ecosystems, high altitude, and dependence on climate-sensitive resources.

Below are the key reasons why these states experience significant climate change effects:

Himalayan ecosystem sensitivity

Himalayas are one of the most ecologically fragile regions in the world. Their steep slopes, young geological formations, and diverse microclimates make them highly vulnerable to climate-induced changes.

Rising temperatures accelerate glacier retreat in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which host major glaciers like Gangotri and Yamunotri. The region’s biodiversity, including rare flora and fauna, is under threat due to shifting climatic zones, disrupting ecosystems and local economies reliant on tourism and forestry.

Extreme weather 

Heavy Rainfall and Flash Floods: Climate change has intensified monsoon patterns, leading to erratic and heavy rainfall. Uttarakhand (e.g., the 2013 Kedarnath floods) and Himachal Pradesh (e.g., 2023 landslides and floods) have faced devastating flash floods and cloudbursts, exacerbated by warmer air holding more moisture. For instance, Himachal Pradesh saw unprecedented rainfall in July 2023, causing landslides and infrastructure damage. This is too the state saw havoc in Mandi district.

Landslides: The combination of heavy rains and deforestation destabilises slopes, leading to frequent landslides. Both states have reported increased landslide incidents, with Himachal Pradesh recording over 100 major landslides in 2023 alone.

Dry spells: These states also experience prolonged dry spells, reducing water availability for agriculture and hydropower, which are economic mainstays.

Glacial lake outburst floods

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are at high risk, with lakes like those in the Chandra basin posing threats. The 2021 Chamoli disaster in Uttarakhand, triggered by a glacial breach, killed over 200 people and damaged hydropower projects.

Less snowfall

Average temperatures in the Himalayas are rising faster than the global average (1.5°C vs. 1.1°C globally since pre-industrial times). This leads to reduced snowfall and earlier snowmelt, affecting water availability and winter tourism (e.g., ski resorts in Himachal’s Manali).

Apple orchards in Himachal Pradesh, a major economic driver, are suffering due to insufficient chilling hours required for fruit setting, with production declining by 20–30% in some areas over the past decade.

Here’s a look at some of the major disasters in mountains in recent history:

July, 2025 

Since the onset of monsoon on June 20, Himachal Pradesh has incurred losses totalling Rs 1,852 crore till date. Around 108 people have died in rain-related incidents while 36 are missing. As many as 1,738 houses have been fully or partially damaged in the state, which has witnessed 55 flash floods, 28 cloudbursts and 48 major landslides so far. The fatalities include 20 drownings, 19 deaths from falls, 17 deaths from cloudbursts, nine from flash floods, and six from landslides, says govt data

August 5, 2025

At least four people were killed and more than 50 remain missing after a flash flood swept through a village in Uttarakhand. The region, prone to natural disasters, has seen a series of deadly events in recent years—many of which experts attribute to climate change and rampant development in the fragile mountain ecosystem.

November 2023
A road tunnel under construction in Uttarakhand collapsed, trapping 41 workers—migrants from some of poorest states. After 17 days, all were rescued. No official cause was provided for the collapse.

October 2023
Heavy rainfall triggered a glacial lake outburst in Sikkim, leading to severe floods that killed at least 179 people in the northeastern state.

January 2023
In Joshimath, Uttarakhand, around 200 people were evacuated after hundreds of homes developed deep cracks. Experts blamed aggressive construction activity for destabilising the land, prompting authorities to demolish unsafe buildings.

October 2021
Unseasonal and intense rainfall in Uttarakhand caused floods and landslides, killing at least 46 people and destroying infrastructure.

February 2021
A massive flash flood swept through the Dhauliganga river valley in Uttarakhand, killing over 200 people and wiping out two hydroelectric projects. Scientists suspect a glacier avalanche triggered the disaster.

September 2014
The Kashmir region experienced its worst floods in half a century due to extreme rainfall, causing the Jhelum River to overflow. The disaster killed about 200 people in India and 264 in Pakistan.

June 2013
Kedarnath faced one of its deadliest disasters when early monsoon rains triggered flash floods and landslides in Uttarakhand. At least 580 people died, and nearly 6,000 went missing as homes and roads were swept away.

With inputs from Reuters