NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 3: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting in New Delhi to review the preparedness of Himalayan States and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir to deal with the risks posed by Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and snow avalanches.
The meeting brought together Chief Secretaries and senior officials of the State Disaster Management Authorities of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Senior representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Water Commission (CWC), India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE) also participated.
During the meeting, officials reviewed the evolving threat of GLOFs across the Himalayan region, with particular emphasis on strengthening early warning mechanisms, continuous monitoring of vulnerable glacial lakes and snow-covered areas, identification of high-risk locations and mapping of potential flood and avalanche flow paths.
The meeting also assessed arrangements for timely dissemination of warnings and ensuring effective evacuation preparedness in vulnerable areas.
The participating States and the Union Territory presented their respective preparedness and mitigation strategies. These included measures for monitoring vulnerable glacial lakes, strengthening early warning systems, improving last-mile communication of alerts, undertaking flow-path planning, enhancing community preparedness and positioning adequate response resources in areas facing higher risks.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan emphasised the importance of continuous and proactive monitoring of vulnerable glacial lakes and avalanche-prone areas, particularly during periods when the risk of extreme weather and related hazards increases.
He stressed the need for close coordination among State and UT authorities, district administrations and scientific and technical institutions so that warnings are communicated quickly and acted upon effectively.
The Home Secretary underlined that preparedness for GLOFs and snow avalanches should not remain limited to post-disaster response. Instead, he called for a stronger focus on risk-informed planning, preventive mitigation and preparedness at the community level.
The States and the UT were advised to regularly review their disaster preparedness plans, identify gaps in early warning, evacuation and response arrangements, and undertake corrective measures well ahead of any potential extreme event.
Govind Mohan also called for expediting the implementation of GLOF mitigation projects sanctioned by the Central Government for the States in 2024.
The meeting concluded with directions to maintain sustained inter-agency coordination, ensure regular sharing of risk-related information and further strengthen early warning and response mechanisms.
The measures are aimed at reducing the vulnerability of communities and minimising the loss of life and property in areas across Jammu & Kashmir and other Himalayan regions exposed to GLOF and avalanche hazards.
