In view of the potential threats posed by glacier lakes in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand, the state government will further strengthen their monitoring and security systems. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed regular and scientific monitoring of glacier lakes, as well as the installation of state-of-the-art early warning systems in sensitive areas and their number to be increased as needed.
The Chief Minister has directed Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman to conduct a comprehensive survey and scientific study of the sensitive glacier lakes in the state. Regular assessments of the lakes’ condition, water levels, changes in size, the surrounding terrain, and potential risk areas should be conducted. In the event of a potential threat, the availability of modern sensors, water level measuring equipment, communication systems, and other necessary technical resources should be ensured to provide timely warnings to affected areas.
Following the recent disaster in Nepal, the Uttarakhand government has increased vigilance regarding glacier lakes and the potential threats associated with them. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the establishment of a state-of-the-art early warning system along with regular and scientific monitoring of sensitive glacier lakes. Sensors, water level measuring equipment, and communication systems will also be strengthened as needed.
Currently, 13 glacier lakes in Uttarakhand have been identified as vulnerable. Surveys of four of these lakes have been completed. Now, scientific surveys and studies will be conducted on the remaining lakes in a phased manner. In this regard, expert teams will soon be dispatched to survey Saraswati Tal in Chamoli and Kedar Tal in Uttarkashi. The survey will assess the current status of the lakes, their water levels, changes in their size, potential risk factors, and the impact on downstream areas. The government’s focus will not only be limited to monitoring the lakes, but also on making necessary advance arrangements to mitigate the impact of a potential disaster.
This will include identifying vulnerable areas, marking potentially affected areas, establishing safe evacuation routes, strengthening local warning systems, and strengthening relief and rescue preparedness. A system for receiving real-time data from glacier lakes will be developed, along with the deployment of modern sensors and early warning equipment as needed.
Following the Nepal incident, the Disaster Management Department also reviewed preparedness with all district magistrates. In addition to glacier lakes, the meeting reviewed river water levels, vulnerable sites, early warning systems, communication systems, and preparedness for rapid disaster response. District magistrates have been instructed to regularly monitor potentially vulnerable areas and immediately report any unusual activity.
