Uttarakhand is on the brink of an unprecedented crisis, according to the July 2025 edition of the Uttarakhand Disaster & Accident Analysis Initiative (UDAAI) released by the Dehradun-based Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation. The monthly review, compiled from verified media reports and scientific studies, presents a stark warning of worsening extreme weather events, fragile infrastructure, and rising human casualties across the Himalayan state.
Glacial Threats Intensify
The report cites research from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, which identified 25 potentially dangerous glacial lakes out of 426 surveyed, each larger than 1,000 square meters. Experts warn these unstable lakes could trigger Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), reminiscent of the 2013 Kedarnath tragedy. The Chorabari glacier near Kedarnath is also retreating at a rate of seven meters annually, further heightening risks.
Monsoon Havoc
This year’s monsoon has brought severe destruction in Chamoli district, where cloudbursts and landslides blocked over 115 roads and destroyed agricultural land. A cloudburst near Dhurma village washed away homes and altered river flows, forcing emergency evacuations. Connectivity to major pilgrimage routes, including the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib, has been repeatedly disrupted, with the Bhanerpani stretch of the Badrinath Highway particularly affected by land subsidence.
Rising Climate Extremes
A peer-reviewed study referenced in the UDAAI highlights Uttarakhand as a hotspot for extreme climate events, noting a significant rise in cloudbursts and flash floods since 2010. These changes are linked to climate change, compounding the state’s vulnerability.
Human Tragedies Mount
Beyond environmental challenges, the report documents major accidents in recent weeks. Eight people died in a road accident in Pithoragarh, while another eight lost their lives and 28 were injured during a stampede at a Haridwar temple, underscoring gaps in crowd management and emergency response.
Infrastructure Under Threat
The analysis raises concern over Totaghati on the Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway, where deep cracks in limestone rocks could result in a large-scale collapse, potentially cutting off access to Garhwal. Meanwhile, a recent study links the Char Dham Highway expansion project to a surge in landslides. Nearly 811 incidents have been recorded along its 800 km stretch, attributed mainly to unsafe slope-cutting during construction.
Call for Urgent Action
Commenting on the findings, SDC Foundation founder Anoop Nautiyal said, “The July UDAAI report, our 34th monthly assessment, once again signals that disasters in Uttarakhand are no longer isolated events but a recurring, escalating reality.” He stressed that with climate change intensifying and human-driven risks increasing, the state must urgently improve disaster preparedness, regulate development, and safeguard its fragile ecosystems.
