Responding to such disasters requires humanitarian effort on an extraordinary scale. Mohan Singh Rana, project manager with SEEDS, who has worked on multiple disaster responses in the Himalayan region, explains the challenges his team faces.
“In the hill areas, road connectivity is completely cut off, and there is no electricity or mobile network. This means it takes a long time for us to even get information about the damage, let alone reach the affected families. During monsoons, it rains continuously, and the roads cannot be opened quickly. We sometimes have to walk long distances to deliver relief materials, or the families themselves must walk to collect what they need,” he says.
Coordination with government, local administration, and community networks plays a vital role in these moments. According to Rana, district authorities, panchayats, and communities are often the first point of contact to understand needs and arrange supplies. However, even when relief materials are ready, poor weather and unsafe terrain can delay their delivery for days. “In Uttarkashi, a recent landslide left families cut off for more than fifteen days because road connectivity had not been restored. Relief materials were ready, but they could only reach once the route was cleared. These are the kinds of challenges we face in the mountains,” he explains.
The risks are not only for communities but also for those providing aid. Continuous rain and unstable slopes make travel life-threatening. Relief workers often face landslides while en route, with stretches of road blocked on both sides. “It is not just physically exhausting but also mentally challenging. There are times when you may have to go hungry or thirsty until the way clears. Yet the effort continues, because the families are waiting,” says Rana.
Government agencies, including the NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), SDRF (State Disaster Response Force), ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police), and the Indian Army, along with state authorities, are making immense efforts through helicopter services and ground teams. But as relief workers stress, real ground support can begin once basic connectivity is restored.
“Equally important is what happens after the immediate crisis,” adds Rana. “For families who lose their homes and livelihoods, recovery takes months if not years. Many lose land. Rebuilding safer houses, restoring farmlands, repairing schools, and ensuring that children can continue their education are all critical parts of long-term recovery.
That's why we have been focusing on safe infrastructure - like in the Himalayan region, we retrofitted and rebuilt 40 schools to withstand future shocks. These safe spaces not only bring back normalcy for children but also serve as community hubs during emergencies.”
To conclude, building back better must be seen through the lens of building back safer. Recovery efforts should not simply be about rebuilding what was lost but about rebuilding safer and stronger. Community-led action and sustained investment are central to this approach, helping ensure that when the next monsoon comes, families are not starting from scratch but are better protected and more hopeful.
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