DEHRADUN: Scientists and experts have warned of emerging threats posed by landslide dams and glacial lakes, urging increased vigilance and management efforts in mitigation measures for disaster management.
Natural disasters cannot be prevented, but effective management and mitigation efforts can significantly reduce loss of life and property. Vinod Kumar Suman, the state's Secretary for Disaster Management, emphasized this point while speaking to TNIE.
"Uttarakhand and other Himalayan states are extremely vulnerable when it comes to disasters. It is essential to act with this sensitivity in mind, and accordingly, future disaster management strategies and plans are being implemented," he stated.
Shantanu Sarkar, the Director of Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre (ULMMC), stated, "Thirteen glacial lakes have been identified in Uttarakhand, five of which are classified as extremely high-risk. We are currently studying these lakes to mitigate potential risks in the future. In this regard, analysis of satellite data is also ongoing."
During a national seminar organized under the joint auspices of the Himalayan Society of Geoscientists and the Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Center (ULMMC) within the Department of Disaster Management, senior scientist B D Patni said, "We must enhance our monitoring and management strategies to address these new threats effectively."
Dr. DP Kanungo, Chief Scientist at CBRI, emphasized the importance of the scientific community in disaster risk assessment. "If we sense any threat of disaster, it is crucial for scientists to present their concerns to the government and administration with confidence and without fear," he asserted.
Additionally, Dr. SP Pradhan from IIT Roorkee shed light on various aspects of slope cutting in the Himalayan states and their potential remedies. "Addressing slope stability is vital for mitigating risks in these regions," he noted.