Flash flood dynamics in the foothills of the NW Himalayas: insights into hydrological and morphological controls

Abstract

The Himalayas experiences several cloudburst events due to its varied physiographical, geomorphological, and geological conditions and high rainfall. Uttarakhand is one of the Indian states circumscribed by the Himalayan ranges and has experienced a rise in the number of cloudburst catastrophes in the last few decades. These events cause substantial loss of life and property; however, very few studies have characterized these unpredictable cloudburst-induced flash floods in different regions of Uttarakhand. This study examines the geological and hydrological factors associated with the Raipur-Kumalda cloudburst event that occurred from 20 to 21 August 2022 in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. The resulting flash flood caused significant damage to roads, bridges, and settlements across the valley. The study aims to understand the geological and geomorphological controls of the event by analyzing the peak discharge and various flood parameters. The basin geomorphometry and rainfall intensity of the region reveal poorly developed drainage networks with low drainage density, steep slopes, rapid peak flows, a sharp peak hydrograph, and intense, concentrated rainfall, all of which worsen the impact of the flood. Various flood indices, including the rising curve gradient (K), flood magnitude ratio (M), and flood response time (TP), indicate a discharge 50 to 100 times higher during the event compared to the average monsoonal discharge. This study also discusses the role of mountain topography, climate, regional geology, and irreversible land use–land cover (LULC) changes associated with urbanization in intensifying the destruction.