Uttarakhand Tragedy: Climate change and its imperatives for energy security

It is necessary to develop a vulnerability map of the Himalayas, similar to the seismic zonation map of the country, and categorise different river valleys based on the degree of vulnerability to such disasters. Subsequently, zone-specific strategies need to be adopted for better adaptation of communities, as well as infrastructure. The cost required for such a study would be much less than the expenditure incurred in relief and rehabilitation expenditure incurred subsequent to such a tragedy.