NEW DELHI: At a time when neighbouring Nepal is grappling with a flash-flood disaster, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Thursday reviewed the preparedness of Himalayan states and Union Territories to deal with the growing risks posed by Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and snow avalanches.
The high-level meeting here focused on strengthening early-warning systems, monitoring vulnerable glacial lakes and snow-covered areas, identifying high-risk locations and mapping potential flood flow paths. The discussions also covered timely dissemination of alerts, evacuation preparedness and the strengthening of response mechanisms, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said in an official statement.
“Mohan stressed the need for continuous and proactive monitoring of glacial lakes and avalanche-prone areas, particularly during periods of heightened risk. He also called for closer coordination between state agencies, district administrations and scientific and technical institutions to ensure that warnings translate into swift action on the ground,” it said.
The Home Secretary said disaster preparedness must move beyond a response-driven approach and focus instead on risk-informed planning, preventive mitigation and community-level readiness.
The States and the UTs were advised to regularly review their preparedness plans, identify gaps in warning and evacuation systems and take corrective measures before extreme weather events strike, the MHA said.
Mohan also directed states to expedite implementation of GLOF mitigation projects sanctioned by the Centre in 2024, underlining the need to convert approved measures into tangible action at the district and local levels.
The meeting brought together Chief Secretaries and State Disaster Management Authorities from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, besides senior officials from the MHA, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Water Commission (CWC), India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE).
Representatives from the states and Union Territory outlined measures being taken to monitor vulnerable glacial lakes, improve early-warning systems, strengthen last-mile communication of alerts and prepare evacuation and flow-path plans. They also highlighted community preparedness initiatives and the deployment of response resources in vulnerable locations.
The meeting concluded with directions for sustained inter-agency coordination, regular sharing of risk information and further strengthening of early-warning and emergency response systems. The measures are aimed at reducing the risk to lives and property in the Himalayan region, where rapidly changing weather and fragile mountain terrain continue to heighten the threat of floods and avalanches.