Unprecedented Cyclone Biparjoy Devastates Mount Abu

Mount Abu Survives Its First Cyclone as Nature Takes Over

The eye of the cyclone over Mount Abu, from Zoom Earth 

A rare weather phenomenon occurred in Mount Abu, Rajasthan's scenic Aravalli Range. Cyclone Biparjoy made an unexpected impact on this landlocked region on June 16, 2023, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. This unexpected cyclonic storm, which is unusual for Mount Abu, astonished both inhabitants and officials. Despite its distance from the shore, torrential rainfall and powerful gusts hit the town, inflicting extensive damage.

The Ordeal Unleashed: When the Biparjoy hit, Mount Abu was unprepared for the devastation that ensued. With high winds and constant rain, the "Abode of Gods" swiftly became a war against nature's fury. Flash floods swamped the town, submerging homes and streets. The strong winds toppled trees and electricity lines, resembling a heavenly bowling match. Essential services were severely affected, with no power, water, or internet access.

On Saturday, June 17, 2023, the Abuites (the dwellers of Mount Abu) experienced fear as the unrelenting storm showed no signs of abating. It cut residents off from essential services, putting them in an unusual scenario. Their tin-sheeted homes provided little shelter against the chilling winds, resulting in substantial damage and loss of property. It carried away countless birds and their young in the roaring floods, adding to the animal toll.

Record rainfall and lingering hardships resulted from Cyclone Biparjoy's influence, which was felt well beyond Mount Abu. The Banas River overflowed its banks on the lowlands, causing significant flooding on Abu Road. During the disaster, Mount Abu received an incredible 8.4 inches of rain. The event lasted five days and left the Abuites without power, water, or internet access. This unforeseen interruption provided a brutal reality check for a populace that is dependent on modern gadgets, requiring them to reconnect with their natural surroundings.

Rebuilding Lives and Restoring Normalcy: Life on Mount Abu gradually resumes its normalcy. Residents are relieved that they have restored essential services. As the community heals from this unique occurrence, it serves as a reminder of nature's dominant force and the Abuites' perseverance in the face of hardship. Although the cyclone caused significant difficulty, it also provided an opportunity for introspection and appreciation of their surroundings.

Conclusion: Cyclone Biparjoy's unanticipated visit to Mount Abu, a first in the area's meteorological history, left the community reeling from the devastation wreaked by strong winds and unrelenting rainfall. The community came together in the face of this unforeseeable disaster, exhibiting resilience and a sense of togetherness. As life returns to normal, the Abuites begin to repair their houses, grateful for the restoration of critical services. We will inscribe this remarkable occurrence in Mount Abu's history as a monument to the locals' fortitude and tenacity.

 

The Neglected Lake of Mount Abu: A Cry for Help

Exploring the Enchanting Nakki Lake: A Jewel of Mount Abu.

Nakki Lake, Mount Abu.
Photo per kind favour, Harry(Harnam)

Nakki Lake, when neglected, 

Nakki Lake — Reflect Governance

 Oh, Nakki Lake — once a mirror of sky and stone,now a mirror of us.Not of our beauty—but of our decisions. 

Green where you were blue,heavy where you once held light, you do not hide what we have allowed to happen.

These are not new ideas.

They are simply not being applied with consistency.

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A Quiet Test of Intent

Oh Nakki Lake,you have become more than a landscape.

You are now a measure—of how seriously we take our own policies,

of whether governance extends beyond announcements,of whether protection can keep pace with promotion.

You do not need grand promises.

You need follow-through.

Because in the end,the state of your waters will not reflect what was planned—but what was actually done.

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 A Sacred Lake, Reduced

 There was a time when the Garasia tribe came here in reverence—

to honour ancestors,to recognise some landscapes are not commodities.

 There was a time when the people of Mount Abu understood that.

 Today, that understanding feels distant.

The lake has become scenery—something to be used, not protected.

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Growth Without Guardrails

 People encouraged tourism; it did not just arrive.

 Policies promoting hill tourism, expanding access, and increasing visitor footfall have, over the past decade, transformed Mount Abu into a year-round destination. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation has done its job well—bringing people in.

But protection has not kept pace with promotion.

The Mount Abu Municipal Board struggles with a waste collection that is overwhelmed during peak seasons. The Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board sets standards—but enforcement on the ground feels sporadic at best.

 Meanwhile, the Mount Abu Eco Sensitive Zone Monitoring Committee exists to prevent this kind of gradual degradation—yet the lake’s condition suggests that monitoring has not translated into meaningful intervention.

This is not a failure of intent on paper.It is a failure of execution in reality.

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 A Lifeline Under Strain

This lake is not ornamental—it is functional.

 When supplies tighten, Mount Abu draws upon Nakki Lake, alongside sources like the Khodra Dam.

 The treatment, filtering, and redistribution of that water prompt an uncomfortable question: if the source is compromised, how much faith can we place in the system that follows?

Water security and environmental health are not separate issues here. They are the same issues.

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The Comfort of Visible Work

 There is no shortage of visible effort—pathways improved, railings installed, edges beautified. These are tangible, budgeted, and reportable. But the actual work — controlling inflow of waste, managing sewage, regulating tourist pressure — is less visible, more complex, and far more critical. t is also where progress appears uneven.

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Responsibility, Defined

Yes, individuals matter.

A tourist who litters contributes to the problem.

A resident who ignores it allows it to continue.

But institutional responsibility is not optional.

Officials do not enforce regulations that exist, they do not expand capacity that is exceeded, and they do not act upon warnings that are known—which makes responsibility traceable.

Not dramatic.

Not loud.

But undeniable.

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What needs to happen now

 Not another announcement.   

Not another cosmetic upgrade.

 What Nakki Lake requires is coordination — between tourism authorities, municipal systems, and environmental regulators.

* Enforced waste management during peak tourist flow

* Regular, transparent water quality monitoring

* Clear limits on ecological load, not just theoretical ones

* Accountability mechanisms that extend beyond paperwork

Selfie point, I love Mount Photo, per kind favour, Harry(Harnam)

Boating on the Nakki Lake Photo per kind favour Harry(Harnam)

Garbage in the lake Photo per kind favour Harry(Harnam)

Nakki Lake at sunset
Photo per kind favour, Harry(Harnam)