PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Considering the potential danger from the glacial lakes located in the State following the devastation in neighbouring Nepal, the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation minister Madan Kaushik has directed officials to adopt the latest technology available worldwide for monitoring and risk reduction of glacial lakes. He visited the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and sought detailed information about the condition of glacial lakes located in Uttarakhand and the potential risk.
The minister stated that Uttarakhand is a geographically sensitive State and given the impacts of climate change, scientific monitoring of changes in the condition of glaciers and glacial lakes is essential. He directed that modern technology be used for continuous and real-time monitoring of glacial lakes. Glacial lakes should be continuously monitored for their water level, size, waterlogging and potential changes. To ensure this, the potential of satellite imagery, remote sensing, drones, sensor-based monitoring and other modern technologies should be studied and adopted as needed.
Kaushik directed that better coordination be established between the relevant departments, expert institutions and technical agencies to monitor glacial lakes. He called for early warning systems to be established where necessary, so that any unusual situation can be detected in time and people living in potentially affected areas can be alerted in advance.
Kaushik also conducted a detailed review of the consistent rainfall in the State and the resulting conditions. He instructed the officials that ensuring the safety of public life is the State government’s top priority and that all departments should work in complete coordination and on a 24×7 alert mode to effectively deal with any potential disaster. He took detailed information on the rainfall situation across the State, river water levels, closed roads, landslide-affected areas, relief and rescue operations, electricity and drinking water supply, communication systems and other essential services. Reviewing the rainfall in various districts, weather forecasts and preparations for the coming days, he directed that every situation be continuously monitored and prompt action be taken in case of any emergency.
He directed the SEOC to maintain constant coordination with all districts. Closed roads should be reopened as a priority and adequate machinery should be pre-positioned at landslide-prone and sensitive locations. Adequate numbers of mechanical excavators, other necessary equipment and technical teams should be deployed in advance at locations where landslides or road blockages are more likely, so that traffic can be restored immediately in the event of a road blockage.
Vice chairmen of the State Disaster Management Advisory Committee Vinay Ruhela, lieutenant colonel (retd) Raghuveer Singh Bhandari, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation secretary Vinod Kumar Suman and others were present in the meeting.
