New Delhi, February 09 | The floods in Uttarakhand, caused by an event at a glacier in the Chamoli district in the morning of Sunday 7th February, 2021, has led to deaths and untold devastation in the Alaknanda river system.  Many people are missing, and rescue efforts led by Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the National Disaster Response Force and the armed forces are responding to the situation on the ground. As we await detailed reports from the field, we have information that more than 50 houses and many roads have been washed way.  Grassroots-based civil society organisations, including Jandesh are helping rescue and relief efforts in the area. Affected people include villagers and workers at various construction sites near the river.  ActionAid Association is assessing response needs for the immediate and the long-term impact of the floods.

In the light of the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters occurring in the Himalayan region and keeping in mind the growing danger of climate change on glaciers and on weather patterns ActionAid Association urges the Government of India to consider declaring the entire Himalayan region an ecologically sensitive zone. The Government should also lay down more stringent environmental assessment measures for all development projects in the region. A strong feature of development in the Himalayan region should be to help build resilience in the communities and ecological systems to mitigate the impact of climate change, in what is the world’s largest renewable sources of fresh water.

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Contact for queries or more information

Joseph Mathai (mathai.joseph@actionaid.org | +91 9810188022)

About ActionAid Association

ActionAid Association is an organisation working for social and ecological justice. ActionAid has been engaged with the most marginalised communities in India since 1972. In 2006, ActionAid Association was registered as an Indian organisation, governed by an independent General Assembly and a Governing Board. Together with supporters, communities, institutions and governments, we strive for equality, fraternity and liberty for all. ActionAid Association works in 24 states and two union territories, with several partners and allied organisations.

ActionAid Association is part of a global federation and a full affiliate of ActionAid International, that has presence in over 40 countries worldwide.