due to excessive rainfall or snowmelt, bursting of dams, cloudburst, etc. Such floods are common due to the high velocity of water with much energetic capacity to carry away everything in its way. Demographics According to the 2011 Census of India, the population of Didihat Nagar Panchayat was 6,522. Didihat has a literacy rate of 91.03%; 95.20% of the men and 86.44% of the women are literate. Didihat's sex ratio in 2011 was 889 women per 1000 men. Almost all of the residents of Didihat are native Kumaonis. About 20.55% of the population belongs to the Scheduled Castes, numbering over 1,340 in the 2011 census. In addition, the city is home to some 649 people, who belong to the Scheduled Tribes. Didihat is the native place of 'Rajis', a Scheduled Tribe. Approximately 1,400 people live in slums within the city. Didihat had a population of 4805 according to the 2001 Census and 3514 according to the 1991 Census of India. Economy Didihat had traditionally been a place where merchants from adjoining areas brought their goods for sale on a prescribed day of the week. Wool and salt from tibet was exchanged for grain here. The "Kumaon Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation" established a "Carpet Center", a "Blanket Production Center" and a "Wool Production and Sales Center" at Didihat for the all-around economic-development of the Scheduled Tribes living here. Culture Didihat observes a wide range of festivals. Popular celebrations and observances include Kumauni Holi, which is celebrated in different forms such as the Baithki Holi, the Khari Holi and the Mahila Holi. The festival of lights, Deepavali, is celebrated with the lighting of lamps in every house, decorating the floors with rangoli, and sharing of sweets with relatives and Friends. Kumaoni is the mother tongue of majority in Didihat; however people speak Hindi as well. The dialect of Kumaoni spoken in Didihat is called 'Sirali'. Village Hat Tharp is famous for its Hiran Chital Festival during rainy season. This village also conducts one of the oldest Ramlila’s of the Didihat area. People of village Hat Tharp invented a unique idea about conserving their forest by dedicating the whole forest to Maa Bhagwati of Pankhu for 10 years. No one is allowed to take their axe and cut forest, only dry wood collection is allowed. Tourism Didihat is a Himalayan tourist destination situated 43 km from Pithoragarh. Didihat is situated on the hilltop