Fires could be caused by both human and natural activities. Fires can start from either natural causes or human activity or from a combination of both. The most common fires are the residential and non residential structural fires caused usually by human activities. Most industrial and chemical fires are triggered by human activity. The growth of fire services in the district, even in the country, has been on an ad-hoc basis and needs to be professionalised.
The fast pace of development brings with it increasing frequency of various types of accidents as more and more people are involved in diverse economic activities. The district authorities address them in accordance with the relevant emergency management systems. The primary way to reduce risks is through mainstreaming risk reduction in development and governance.
Being a sparsely populated district, stampede is not a common phenomenon in Leh. But huge gatherings take place especially during the monestic festivals (Hemis Mela, Spituk Mela, Thiksay Mela, Leh Dosmoche, Moharram etc.) and there are histories of stampedes during such occasions. Moreover, monasteries in Ladakh are generally located on hill-tops; and, the doors & corridors of the monasteries very narrow. A stampede at such locations could prove to be very dangerous. During festivals, huge gathering take place and people even sit on the flattops/roofs where there is nothing to hold on.
Cold waves are seasonal and localized hazards occurring only in the parts with severe winter. The extent of damage caused by cold wave depends on temperature, length of exposure, humidity levels and speed at which freezing temperature is reached. Cold wave can cause death and injury to human beings, livestock and wildlife. If a cold wave is accompanied by heavy and persistent snow, grazing animals not get requisite food. They may die of hypothermia from prolonged exposure or starvation.
