On May 28, 2016, flash floods due to heavy rainfall triggered a series of landslides resulting in burying of fertile agricultural fields with mud, rocks and debris in Silyara cluster of Tehri District. The flash floods have destroyed standing crops, nurseries, vegetable gardens, homes, markets and schools. Himmotthan has piloted a post-disaster agriculture revival project in 7 villages of Silyara cluster, Tehri District. The floods ruined up to 75% of the agricultural land in the impacted villages. Two main channels which supplied irrigation to 13 villages were damaged thus severely affecting cultivation. Himmotthan carried out immediate relief measures by distributing food, shelter related materials, bedding, solar lamps, water filters and sanitation kits to several families. The teams organised several meetings in villages to discuss various options for agricultural revival. With experts, rainfed, hardy and short duration crops were identified to give better yields and nutrition and reduce immediate vulnerability (these included Urad, Okra, Maize, Basmati rice by direct sowing and French bean). Agriculture tool kits were supplied to clear the loose debris but the fields where planted as they lay without too much labour (notill approach).

Rapid trainings on improved techniques with simultaneous arrangements for input supplies were also conducted. Despite the rough fields, results for the new, rain-fed crops were encouraging: (i) introduced Basmati var. Pusa 1509 - 26.5 Q/ ha, (ii) Urad (black gram) - 13.75 Q/ ha, (iii) Okra - 20.5 Q/ ha, (iv)Maize - 23.5 Q/ha. Though yields were lower than the overall State averages but the pilot worked very well. Farmers were delighted by the understanding that a landslide hit field could also be productive and could contribute directly to the food security in a post-disaster environment. Fodder was an additional output of the basmati, urad and maize crops. Farmers also were able to sell the okra, urad and maize in local markets. The intervention focused on empowering the women on agriculture techniques and maintenance of the main source of food, nutrition and livelihoods during climatic turbulences. The immediate relief activity was jointly supported by the Mount Valley Development Association, The Hans Foundation, Himmotthan Society, Tata Relief Committee and Tata Trusts.