29 October 2013

More photographs of the aftermath of the Kedarnath debris flow disaster

Posted by Dave Petley

Last week I posted one of the images kindly provided by Vaibhav Kaul of the aftermath of the Kedarnath disaster.  These were taken on a recent visit by Vaibhav to the area, on foot of course – a truly epic journey.  He has kindly allowed me to post more of them here.  For reference, it is worth looking at the earlier post in which I reconstructed the events of that day in June, and the one in which I blended eye-witness reports with an overall narrative.

The Chorabari Glacier source of the second debris flow

The source of the second, more damaging debris flow, was a breach in the glacial moraine that formed a dam to create a temporary lake, known as Chorabari Tal (Gandhi
Sarovar), on the flank of the glacier.  This image shows one of the two tongues of the glacier.   The valley on the left side of the image on the flank of the glacier is that of Chorabari Tal (Gandhi Sarovar).  The breach is clearly visible, as is the path that the water followed:

Chorabari Glaciers, Kedarnath 14

Courtesy and copyright of Vaibhav Kaul

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The track of the second debris flow

Viewed from below the town, the track of the main debris flow down the slope above the town is very clear.  Most of the water and debris flowed down the left side of the image, a smaller component over-spilled the ridge to flow down towards the right side.  The flows recombined above the town:

Chorabari Glaciers, Kedarnath Town 2

Courtesy and copyright of Vaibhav Kaul

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The impact on the town

The debris flow then struck the town with devastating consequences.  At the upslope end of the town was located the temple, which escaped with comparatively minor damage.  This is probably due to a combination of an extremely robust structure and, possibly, the protective effects of a boulder immediately upstream of the main building:

Kedarnath photos

Courtesy and copyright of Vaibhav Kaul

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Downstream the buildings were far less fortunate:

Kedarnath photos

Courtesy and copyright of Vaibhav Kaul

Effects below Kedarnath

The debris flow then passed down through the valley below the town, where the effects of the debris flow were devastating.  This is the channel upstream of the small village of Rambara – note the slope failures on the flanks of the channel triggered by undercutting by the main flow:

Upstream of Rambara

Courtesy and copyright of Vaibhav Kaul

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Rambara destroyed

The most shocking impact of this disaster is the effect on Rambara.  This is Rambara before the debris flow (source):

Rambara photo

Source: http://www.sacredyatra.com/kedarnath-pictures.html

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This is the site of the village now:

Rambara Devastated 2

Courtesy and copyright of Vaibhav Kaul