DEHRADUN, INDIA, June 1, 2016 (Times of India): A technical committee formed by the State Disaster Management Department has raised serious questions over the reconstruction work undertaken at Kedarnath, which was devastated by flash floods in 2013. The committee, comprising scientists and civil engineers from agencies, such as Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Geological Survey of India, and National Institute of Hydrology, has claimed that the newly built ghat on the confluence of rivers Mandakini and Saraswati in Kedarnath has restricted the flow of the Mandakini and increased the river velocity.
According to the experts, this increase in the river velocity can lead to catastrophic loss of life and property in case flash floods of a similar nature as the one in 2013 occur in the region. Talking to TOI, Dr. Vikram Gupta, from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology said, “We are of the view that the course of any river or stream in Kedarnath should not be restricted by construction work. The ghats built on the bank of Mandakini are constricting the flow of the river.”
In order to safeguard lives, the committee has recommended immediate dismantling of all the partially damaged structures near the Kedarnath temple and a ban on any new construction in the vicinity of the shrine.