New Delhi, Sept 3(KNS): The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen its preparedness for glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and snow avalanches, with authorities directed to improve early-warning systems and ensure timely evacuation from vulnerable areas.
The directions came during a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan here on Thursday to review disaster preparedness across the Himalayan region.
Jammu and Kashmir was among the Himalayan states and Union Territories whose preparedness was reviewed at the meeting. Senior officials from the Union Territory participated along with representatives from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Officials from the National Disaster Management Authority, Central Water Commission, India Meteorological Department and Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment also attended the meeting.
The review focused on risks arising from unstable glacial lakes and snow avalanches and the measures required to reduce their impact on people and infrastructure in mountain areas.
Authorities were asked to keep a close watch on vulnerable glacial lakes and avalanche-prone locations, particularly during periods when the risk of such events is higher.
The MHA also stressed the need for identifying vulnerable locations and possible floodwater routes in advance so that warnings can be issued and evacuation measures activated without delay.
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For Jammu and Kashmir, the emphasis on preparedness is significant given the Union Territory's extensive mountainous terrain and the presence of remote settlements and infrastructure in high-altitude areas vulnerable to extreme weather and related hazards.
The Centre asked the authorities to ensure that warnings issued by scientific agencies are promptly shared with district administrations and local communities and are translated into timely action on the ground.
Mohan called for a shift from a largely response-based approach to one based on advance risk assessment, preventive measures and preparedness at the community level.
The participating states and UTs were also asked to periodically review their disaster management plans, assess gaps in warning and evacuation arrangements and address deficiencies before an extreme event occurs.
The Home Secretary further directed the states to speed up the implementation of GLOF mitigation projects approved by the Centre in 2024.
The meeting underlined the need for closer coordination between government departments, district administrations and scientific and technical agencies, besides regular sharing of information on emerging risks.
The Centre said strengthening monitoring, early warning and response systems would be crucial to reducing loss of life and damage to property from GLOFs and avalanches across the Himalayan region.(KNS).
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