The Himalayan mountain system represents one of the most ecologically sensitive and geologically fragile regions of the world. Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, located in the central and western Himalayas respectively, have experienced a marked increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters during the last few decades. Earthquakes, landslides, cloudbursts, flash floods, avalanches, and glacial lake outburst floods have emerged as recurring hazards, resulting in large-scale loss of life, infrastructure damage, and socio-economic disruption. This paper examines the multidimensional drivers of disaster vulnerability in these Himalayan states, emphasizing the interaction between inherent geological instability, accelerating climate change, and rapidly expanding anthropogenic pressures. Using secondary data, disaster reports, judicial observations, and selected case studies—including the Kedarnath floods (2013), Chamoli disaster (2021), Dharali flash flood (2025), Kinnaur earthquake (1975), and the monsoon disasters of 2023 and 2025 in Himachal Pradesh—the study demonstrates how unplanned development and ecological degradation convert natural hazards into human catastrophes. The paper also evaluates existing disaster management frameworks and argues for a paradigm shift toward sustainable mountain development, risk-sensitive planning, and community-based disaster preparedness. The findings highlight that without integrating environmental limits into development strategies, disaster risk in the Himalayan region will continue to escalate.
Reenu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.