in the Himalayas, the population driven out by repeated landslides

It is one of the most majestic landscapes in the world and one of the most threatened by climate change. In the Indian Himalayas, monsoons are becoming more and more intense and are causing devastating landslides, which are increasing in number. At least 240 people died from it in 2023. At an altitude of 1,800 meters, the town of Joshimath has become the symbol of this new threat. Walls, roads and buildings are collapsing everywhere. Some of the 20,000 inhabitants had to leave their homes. “It was a beautiful house, but the landslide destroyed everything“, deplores a woman, who lived there with her family.

Excessive urbanization blamed

Now all that remains is cracked walls and a collapsed roof. “Soon everything started to crumble. Over the past three years, we have seen cracks appear everywhere“, testifies Bharti Devi, resident of Joshimath. The city is also collapsing because of excessive urbanization. Throughout the region, India is developing dams, roads and hotels. The soil, particularly friable, is collapses under the weight of these constructions.