District SirmaurDistrict Sirmaur

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District Sirmaur

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District Sirmaur- An IntroductionSirmaur district is one of the twelveSirmaur district is one of the twelveadministrative districts of HimachalPradesh.Sirmaur is located in outer HimalayasSirmaur is located in outer Himalayaswhich is commonly known as Shivalikrange.It is the southern-most district ofHimachal Pradesh having a geographicalarea of 2825 sq km.The district has its headquarter at Nahanand lies between North latitude 31°01’00”to 30°22’00” and East longitude 77°01’00”to 77°50’00” and is covered by Survey ofIndia degree sheets 53F and 53EIndia degree-sheets 53F and 53E.Sirmaur is bound by Solan districttowards West and Shimla district towardsNorth The district has inter-state boundaryNorth. The district has inter-state boundaryin the South with the State of Haryana andUttar Pradesh and in the East withUttarakhand.

District Sirmaur- An IntroductionDescription 2001 2011

Actual Population 458,593 530,164

Male 241,299 276,801

Female 217,294 253,363

Population Growth 20.78% 15.61%Population Growth 20.78% 15.61%

Area Sq. Km 2,825 2,825

Density/km2 162 188

Proportion to Himachal PradeshPopulation

7.55% 7.73%

Sex Ratio (Per 1000) 901 915( )

Child Sex Ratio (0‐6 Age) 934 931

Average Literacy 70.39 79.98

Male Literacy 79.36 86.76

Female Literacy 60.37 72.55

District Sirmaur- An IntroductionDescription 2001 2011

Total Child Population (0‐6 Age) 68,431 67,958

Male Population (0‐6 Age) 35,376 35,202

Female Population (0‐6 Age) 33,055 32,756

Literates 274,643 369,651

Male Literates 163,415 209,608

Female Literates 111,228 160,043

Child Proportion (0‐6 Age) 14.92% 12.82%

Boys Proportion (0‐6 Age) 14.66% 12.72%

Girls Proportion (0‐6 Age) 15.21% 12.93%

SIRMAUR AT A GLANCE

Population

T t l 5 30 164 P i i l C d tTotal 5,30,164 Provisional Census data 2011

Male 2,76,801

Female 2,53,363

Rural 4 72 926 Male 2 46 599Rural 4.72.926 MaleFemale

2,46,5992,26,327

Urban 57,238 MaleFemale

30,20227,036

Cont….

SIRMAUR AT A GLANCETotal Male Female

Literates

District 3,69,651 209,608 160,043

Rural 3,22,787 184,197 1,38,590

Urban 46,864 25,411 21,453, , ,

Average Literacy

District 79.98 % 86.76 % 72.55 %

Rural 78.54 % 85..84 % 94.08 %

Urban 91.51 % 94.08 % 88.65 %

SIRMAUR AT A GLANCEAdministrative Setup

Sub Division 5 Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Rajgarh, Sangrah, ShillaiShillai

Tehsil 6 Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Shillai, Sangrah, Rajgarh, Pachhad,

Sub Tehsil 7 Dadahu, Nohra, Kamrau, Ronhat, Haripurdhar, Narag, Nauri

Blocks 6 Nahan, Paonta Sahib, Shillai, Sangrah, Rajgarh, Pachhad

Panchayat 228Panchayat 228

Revenue Village 1001

Kanungo Circles 14Kanungo Circles 14

Patwar Circles 126

SIRMAUR AT A GLANCE

Geographical AreaTotal Area of District 2825 Sq. Km.

Area Under Forest 174822 HectTotal Cultivated area 74702 Hect

Altitude 3647 MetersLongitude 77°01’12” & 77° 49’40” EastLatitude 30° 22’30” & 31° 01’20” NorthMajor Rivers Yamuna, Giri

Hazard Profile and Risk Analysis of Sirmaur District

Sirmaur is the most south-eastern district of Himachal Pradesh.It is largely mountainous and rural, with 90% of its population living invillages.It consists of the foothills of Himalayas, which is Shiwaliks and MiddleHimalayas with the heights of the mountains ranging from 300 meters to3000 meters above sea level.Th i i f d b i l i hi h i i t i thThe region is fed by numerous perennial rivers which originate in theglaciers and supply water to the plains throughout the year.Having a mountainous topography, this area is also prone to the incidentsof cloud burst and flash floodof cloud burst and flash flood.As has been seen in other parts of the State, landslides can wipe outentire villages as well as lead to blocking and cutting off of settlements fordays from the rest of the statedays from the rest of the state.Due to loose and unconsolidated material any kind of shaking can alsotrigger landslides or rock falls which also pose a threat to the district.

The following text will provide a brief overview of the hazards in the district of Sirmaur.

Earthquakes: The entire district ofSirmaur falls under Seismic Zone IV

th S i i Z i M fas per the Seismic Zoning Map ofIndia (IS Code: 1893:2002 ) whichmakes it likely to be affected byearthquake shaking of upto intensityVIII. The Main Boundary Thrust(MBT) fault passes across the district(MBT) fault passes across the districtand this is the continuation of thesame fault which caused the 1905K th k A ti d iKangra earthquake. As mentioned inthe previous section, there are alsoseveral smaller faults that can alsogenerate earthquakes of highintensities within Sirmaur district.

Forest fires:

Forest fire is a major cause of degradation of forest.As per 2009 Forest Survey of India report, nearly 49% ofSirmaur is forestSirmaur is forest.Every year there are incidents of forest fire which may go onfor days as many times these tend to happen very deep insidethe forest where fire tenders are unable to reach.The rural population of the district depends on forests forvarious reasons as it tend to provide fire wood, wood, fruits,p , , ,herbs etc to the people which they collect and sell as well asuse for their own sustenance.These fires are common in the summer season as the heatThese fires are common in the summer season as the heatand the wind condition help spreading the fire rapidly. However,such fires have not spread to human habitations so far.

Hazard Profile

Past History : Annual Frequency : Very highFrequency : Very high Impact : Household and the forest resources Vulnerable population : community living near forest areas. Likely damage : Crops,Likely damage : Crops, forest resources, housingLife : Minimal

Total 391 6948.34 40,58,468

Responsible factors: Lack of awareness about how the forest fire startslike- throwing cigarette buds, lighting fire inside forest for picnic purpose,lightening, etc.

Drought:

Drought is a long period with no rain or with much less rainfallthan normal for a given area It is a slow process and can canthan normal for a given area. It is a slow process and can cantake few days to few months during which it tend to affect thepopulation in different ways by causing depletion of water andff ti th i lt I th Hi l b lt f I di thaffecting the agriculture. In the Himalayan belt of India the

occurrence of drought has increased over a period of time anda major reason for this is climate change. Another reason thatis being observed is due to increase in human activities andover exploitation of natural resources such as groundwater anddeforestationdeforestation.The district was affected by drought in the year 2002 and year2009 when the government declared drought due to lack ofrainfall which further affected the agriculture in the district Thisrainfall which further affected the agriculture in the district. Thiscan be easily identified by the rainfall data from the revenuedepartment.

Hazard Profile

Past history : Yes (Monsoon failure) 2009 and 2002Past history : Yes (Monsoon failure) 2009 and 2002Frequency : Likely.Impact : Tehsil wise (area wise)Vulnerable Population : Specifically Magnitude : Medium affect

Responsible factors for : Lack of rain water harvesting culture, lackof reservoirs/check dams for conserving water, poverty, poor economicstandards, apathy, belief, dependence upon nature/rain, lack ofinfrastructural facilities/knowledge etcinfrastructural facilities/knowledge etc.

LandslidesDue to the mountainous terrain, several parts of the districtsare prone to landslides. As per the landslide zoning map ofNorth India (Vulnerability Atlas, BMTPC 2007), almost theNorth India (Vulnerability Atlas, BMTPC 2007), almost theentire district has a moderate to severe risk of landslides. Onlya minor portion at the southern edge of the district is in the‘Unlikely’ risk zone There is also the possibility of landslidesUnlikely risk zone. There is also the possibility of landslidestriggered by severe earthquakes with the possible loss of lifeand also blockage of important roads.The district as per the Landslide atlas of India had witnessed amajor landslide in the year 1955 October at Sirmurital. Similarlandslides have affected the district and led to closing of 12landslides have affected the district and led to closing of 12major roads in Sirmaur as per newspaper reports fromHindustan Times dated June 16, 2013. Another landslide in thedistrict led to complete loss of 150 meter of road in betweendistrict led to complete loss of 150 meter of road in betweenGiripool and Chhaila near Panyali as per the report inHindustan Times dated April 4, 2014.

Landslides

Past History : Y es (Monsoon season)

Hazard Profile:

y ( )Frequency : very prominentImpact : Roads, water and electricity supply system

household, agricultural field and village.Vulnerable population : Local community and tourist on road All overVulnerable population : Local community and tourist on road. All over the districtLikely damage : Very high in terms of financial lossLife : minimal

Responsible factors for : Heavy rainfall, fragile soil condition, humanencroachment road construction mining toe removal natural erosion etcencroachment, road construction, mining, toe removal, natural erosion, etc.

Floods

The passage of rivers such as the Yamuna, Giri, Tons etc. through thedistrict make many parts of the districts prone to floods.Th i l th ibilit f fl h fl d i d ll h h d iThere is also the possibility of flash floods in dry nallahs as happened inPaonta Sahib in 2012. Most of these rivers are perennial, originating inupper reaches of the mountains from the glaciers.The rivers are further fed by numerous streams and seasonal rivers In theThe rivers are further fed by numerous streams and seasonal rivers. In thesummers when the glaciers start melting the volume and level of the rivercan rise by as much as 40 feet and for this reason there is provision of asmall barrage and canal near Paonta Sahib called as Assan barragesmall barrage and canal near Paonta Sahib called as Assan barrage.The rivers in the district are prone to flash floods which can wreak havocdue to the local soil conditions as it is is very loose and unconsolidated andcan wash away easily due to excessive rains.y yAccording to news report from Hindustan Times dated 16th June, 2013,small seasonal rivers and nallahs had witnessed flash floods which hadswept away cattles and caused landslides and blocked roads across thedistrict.

Floods

Past History : Annually the Tehsil like Paonta Sahib is affected by flood

Hazard Profile:

y y yfrom Yamuna, Bata, Giri and Majra rivers.

Frequency : Medium (During monsoon season)Impact : Villages near the river bank (flood plain areas), damage

of property and housesof property and houses. Vulnerability : Villages on the bank of the rivers Yamuna, Bata, Giri, etc. Magnitude : Medium in Paonta Tehsil specific.

Responsible factors for damage: Over flowing of rivers, sudden gradient changeof the rivers, and encroachment of the river flood plains.

Flood hazard vulnerable areas of Sirmaur district. Dark Red is denoting high risk and Light Red is denoting low risk areas. 

High Winds

The South western parts of thedistrict of Sirmaur are also prone toth ff t f hi h i dthe effects of very high winds asper the Vulnerability Atlas of India2007. The remaining portions are inthe High damage risk zone Duringthe High damage risk zone. Duringsummers, there are instances ofthunderstorms accompanied byheavy winds hail and lightning thatheavy winds, hail and lightning thatcan cause immense damage to thesurrounding areas. Most of thepopulation is rural and depend onp p pagriculture which gets affected byhail and strong wind causingmonetory losses.

High Winds

Past History : Yes.

Hazard Profile:

Past History : Yes.Frequency : Likely (all seasons)Impact : Household, electricity supply, Vulnerable population : Around the district Likely damage : Crops. Houses, electric pole. Life : Minimal

Industrial hazards

The main industrial areas in the district are Kala Amb andPaonta-Sahib. Kala Amb is an emerging town for industries thatg ghosts production units for Paper, Metal, chemicals, thread millsand Air-Conditioners. In the Paonta-Sahib industrial area, themajor industries are cement pharmaceuticals textilesmajor industries are cement, pharmaceuticals, textiles,chemicals & food products. Due to the presence of about 92medium to large industrial units and about 1458 Small Scalei d t i i th di t i t th i ibilit f i d t i lindustries in the district, there is a possibility of industrialaccidents, fire etc.The state pollution control board has declarer 142 industries aspcategory red industries which deal with hazardous materialsuch as chemicals and gasses. The list is available at thewebsite of pollution control board Himachal Pradeshwebsite of pollution control board, Himachal Pradesh(http://hppcb.nic.in/Consent/RCI.pdf).

Industrial hazards

Past history : Yes.

Hazard Profile:

Past history : Yes.Frequency : LikelyImpact : Industrial complexes, workers and local

residents.Vulnerable population : Industrial workers, local community near

the area.Magnitude : Medium to high in the Kala Amb region and

Paonta Sahib region where there are manyindustries.

Life : Few

Responsible factors: Non complying the safety procedures, constructionbye laws, no care for fire proof buildings or facilities, inadequate safetymeasures untrained officials to fight with fire etcmeasures, untrained officials to fight with fire etc.

Road Accident:The National Highway 72 has passed through the district andthere are several State Highways making the state wellconnected to other parts of the state and also with neighboringconnected to other parts of the state and also with neighboringstates. But in the meantime due to the sharp curves, cliffs, andless width of the roads the district has been affected by highestnumber of road accidents.

Hazard Profile: Past history : Everyday hazardFrequency : Very highImpact : Local community/travelers/tourist etc.Vulnerable Population : Local community, young generation

Responsible factors : High terrain and typical topography of the roads,narro road sharp c r es rash and dr nken dri ing also pla s anarrow road, sharp curves, rash and drunken driving also plays adestructive role.

Hazard Profile for a few other important hazards

Past History : Yes

Heavy Rainfall:

Past History : YesFrequency : Likely (During monsoon season)Impact : Infrastructure, household and community.Vulnerability : Whole districtMagnitude : High damage in a particular periodLikely damage : Every year there are incidences.Vulnerable Population : Houses which are old enough and not

constructed according to building bye laws,construction on the steep slope.

Hazard Profile for a few other important hazards

Past history : Yes

Falling from Cliff:

Past history : YesFrequency : Low, specially Ronhat, shillai,

Sangrah areas. Impact : House holdVulnerable Population : Women going for grass collection

Hazard Profile for a few other important hazards

Past history : Yes.

Water (drowning):-

Past history : Yes.Frequency : It happens in the Yamuna river

every year.Impact : Tourist coming to Paonta SahibVulnerable population : TouristLife : Few

Hazard Profile for a few other important hazards

Past history : Yes

Epidemic:-

Past history : YesFrequency : Likely.Impact : House hold, and community. Vulnerable population : AllLikely damage : NILLife : Few

Overall Vulnerability of the District

On the basis of above analysis the overall vulnerability of theOn the basis of above analysis the overall vulnerability of thedistrict is very high. The figure below which the HP StateCouncil for Environment, Science and Technology hascompiled for the State shows Sirmaur to be very highvulnerable district for hazard susceptibility.

Overall Vulnerability of the District

Elements at Risk

Degree of Vulnerability to Various HazardFlash HouseRisk

Earthquake

Landslide

Flash Floods/GLOF

Avalanches

DroughtForest Fires

Household Fires

Dam Failure

Road Accidents

Community Very High High Very High High High High Very High High HighCommunity Very High High Very High High High High Very High High High

Infrastructure Very High Very High Very High HighModerate

Moderate

Low High Low

Houses Very High Very High HighModerate

Low Low Very High High Nil

M d M dSocial Sector Very High High

Moderate

LowModerate

Low Very High Low High

Livelihood S t

Very High HighModerat

Low Very High High High High HighSector e

Environment Very High Very High Very High High Very High Very High Very High Very High Low

DAMAGE/LOSS DUE TO FLASH FLOOD/LANDSLIDE/ CLOUDBURST IN DISTRICT SIRMAUR W.E.F. 01‐01‐2014 TO DATE.

Kind of loss/damage Cumulative loss since January 2014 to dateJanuary, 2014 to date

Damage to Private Infrastructure -Loss to the Cattles Rs. 11,71,550/-, ,Damage to Houses Rs. 17,75,750/-Loss to Agriculture Land Rs. 19,00,000/-

(Approx. 15.96 H)No. of Roads damaged 257Length in K.M. 1397 KMe gt . . 397Total Cost 4,43,00,000/-

DAMAGE/LOSS DUE TO FLASH FLOOD/LANDSLIDE/ CLOUDBURST IN DISTRICT SIRMAUR W.E.F. 01‐01‐2014 TO DATE.

Kind of loss/damage Cumulative loss since January, 2014 to date

Damaged to Public Infrastructure -Irrigation & Public Health 2242.92 Lac. Power(HPSEBL) -Animal Husbandry 0.08 Lac. Fi h iFisheris -HorticultureAgriculture.

10.98 Lac. 6.77 Lac. g

Community Assets reported by the BDOs/SDMs etc. 52.70 Lac. Other Misc. items. -

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