Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan chairs review meeting in New Delhi; calls for shift from response-based approach to preventive, risk-informed planning; asks states to expedite GLOF mitigation projects sanctioned in 2024
Highlights:
– MHA reviews Himalayan states’/UTs’ preparedness against GLOFs and snow avalanches
– J&K among five Himalayan states/UTs whose officials attended the Delhi meeting
– Union Home Secretary calls for proactive monitoring of glacial lakes, avalanche zones
– States told to expedite Centre-sanctioned 2024 GLOF mitigation projects
Srinagar, Sep 03 (BuzzBytes): The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked Jammu and Kashmir and other Himalayan States and Union Territories to strengthen monitoring and early-warning systems for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and snow avalanches, with a focus on vulnerable areas and timely evacuation.
Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan chaired a meeting in New Delhi today to review the preparedness of Himalayan States/UTs against the risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and Snow Avalanches. The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretaries and State Disaster Management Authorities of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, along with senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Water Commission (CWC), India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE).
The meeting reviewed the evolving risk of GLOFs in the Himalayan region, with particular emphasis on early warning, monitoring of vulnerable glacial lakes and snow-covered areas, identification of high-risk locations, flow path, timely dissemination of alerts, evacuation preparedness and strengthening of response mechanisms.
The States/UTs presented their respective preparedness and mitigation strategies, including measures being undertaken for monitoring vulnerable glacial lakes, strengthening early warning systems, improving last-mile dissemination of alerts, flow path planning, community preparedness and deployment of response resources in vulnerable areas. The State/UT-specific vulnerabilities and preparedness measures were discussed in detail, with emphasis on ensuring that mitigation measures are translated into concrete actions at the district and local levels.
For Jammu and Kashmir, the directions assume significance as several high-altitude areas of the Union Territory remain vulnerable to avalanches and other mountain-related hazards, particularly during periods of heavy snowfall, rapid warming and extreme weather. The Union Home Secretary asked the authorities to ensure that warnings generated by scientific and technical agencies reach district administrations and communities without delay and are followed by appropriate action.
The Union Home Secretary emphasised the need for continuous and proactive monitoring of vulnerable glacial lakes and avalanche-prone areas, particularly during periods of heightened risk. The States/UTs were advised to maintain close coordination among State agencies, district administrations and scientific and technical institutions so that warnings are acted upon promptly and effectively.
He stressed that preparedness for GLOFs and snow avalanches must move beyond response-oriented measures towards risk-informed planning, preventive mitigation and community-level preparedness. States/UTs were advised to regularly review their preparedness plans, identify gaps in early warning and evacuation arrangements, and undertake necessary corrective measures in advance of any extreme event. He also highlighted that States need to expedite the progress of GLOF mitigation projects sanctioned for the States by the Central Government in 2024.
The meeting also took stock of GLOF mitigation projects sanctioned by the Centre in 2024 and called for their expedited implementation, stressing the need for regular exchange of risk information between state departments, district administrations and scientific and technical institutions to improve preparedness.
The directions come amid growing concern over climate-linked hazards in the Himalayan region, where changing weather patterns and the rapid melting of glaciers can increase risks associated with unstable glacial lakes and snow avalanches. The meeting concluded with an emphasis on strengthening early-warning, monitoring and response systems to reduce casualties and damage to infrastructure and property in vulnerable Himalayan areas—(BuzzBytes)
