Review of GLOF and Avalanche Preparedness

Summary of Meeting on GLOF and Avalanche Preparedness in Himalayan Regions

Date and Participants:

• A review meeting chaired by the Union Home Secretary, Govind Mohan, took place in New Delhi.
• Participants included Chief Secretaries from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and representatives from State Disaster Management Authorities, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Water Commission (CWC), India Meteorological Department (IMD), and Defence Geo-Informatics Research Establishment (DGRE).

Key Focus Areas:

1. Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) and Avalanche Risks:

   • Review of emerging risks related to GLOF in the Himalayan region.
   • Emphasis on monitoring sensitive glacial lakes and snow-covered areas.

2. Preparedness Strategies:

   • Identification of high-risk areas and potential water flow paths.
   • Timely dissemination of warnings and evacuation preparations.
   • Strengthening of response mechanisms.

3. State-Specific Strategies:

   • States presented their preparedness and mitigation strategies, including:
     • Monitoring of sensitive glacial lakes.
     • Enhancements in early warning systems.
     • Community-level preparedness and resource deployment in vulnerable areas.

4. Risk-Informed Planning:

   • The need for measures to go beyond response-focused actions to include risk-informed planning and preventive mitigation strategies.
   • Regular review of preparedness plans and identification of gaps in early warning and evacuation arrangements.

5. Implementation of GLOF Mitigation Project:

   • The Union Home Secretary urged for expedited implementation of the GLOF mitigation project approved by the Central Government for 2024.

Recommendations:

• Continuous and active monitoring of sensitive glacial lakes and avalanche-prone areas, especially during heightened risk situations.
• Close coordination among state agencies, district administration, and scientific and technical institutions for effective response to warnings.
• Regular exchange of risk-related information and strengthening of early warning and response mechanisms to minimize loss of life and property in vulnerable Himalayan regions.

Conclusion: The meeting concluded with directives for maintaining inter-agency coordination, enhancing risk communication, and reinforcing early warning systems to mitigate impacts from GLOF and avalanches in the Himalayan region.