Chennai: Suhora Technologies, an Earth observation and space data analytics company on Thursday categorically said the flash flood in the Uttarkashi region of Uttarakhand is not due to any glacial burst.
Ruling out the theory of glacial burst, Suhora Technologies took help of satellite images and data analytics and said the flood is due to a cloud burst.
Suhora Technologies examined data from the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and also its own comprehensive glacial lake inventory along with cross-checking through high-resolution optical imagery to verify that there are no glacial lakes present upstream of Dharali village, thereby ruling out a glacial burst as the cause of the flash floods.
The company conducted the analysis using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and high-resolution optical imagery to identify the disaster-hit zones resulting from this catastrophic event.
According to the company, it had acquired Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery at 11:01 PM on August 5 through its platform, SPADE, which delivered the image in near real-time, enabling timely and accurate analysis of the disaster.
As per the analysis Suhora Technologies said approximately 16 hectares of area have been affected, impacting nearly 148 buildings and resulting in widespread disruption to housing, schools, and public infrastructure.
In addition, one bridge has been damaged, and about 0.95 km of road has been affected, leading to significant road closures and interruptions in connectivity.
“This incident is a stark reminder of the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan regions to climate-induced natural hazards, emphasizing the need for proactive policy, planning, and community resilience strategies," said Krishanu Acharya, CEO, Suhora Technologies.
"Space data analytics can play a critical role in disaster management and can provide actionable insights to government agencies, policymakers and companies, thereby enhancing their ability to respond effectively and build greater resilience against future disasters,” said Acharya.
