The Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched “Mission Mausam” (2024-2026), a multi-faceted initiative aimed at making India a weather-ready and climate-smart nation, the minister said.
The government is ramping up efforts to mitigate the risks posed by Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) by bolstering early warning systems and enhancing preparedness measures, Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, informed the Lok Sabha in a written reply.
Emphasising that early warning systems are the cornerstone of disaster preparedness, he outlined a series of strategic initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of GLOFs and other natural disasters across the country.
Strengthening Early Warning Systems: A National Priority
The Indian government has taken significant steps toward disaster risk reduction (DRR), aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ten-point agenda on DRR, which was announced at the 2016 Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR). Among the key directives of this agenda are leveraging technology to enhance disaster risk management and building local capacity for resilience.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched “Mission Mausam” (2024-2026), a multi-faceted initiative aimed at making India a weather-ready and climate-smart nation. The project is designed to enhance forecasting capabilities and ensure timely disaster response.
As part of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP), early warning systems have been installed in coastal states, significantly improving alert dissemination during recent cyclonic events. Furthermore, the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-based Integrated Alert System has been introduced with an investment of Rs. 354.83 crore to provide geo-targeted alerts for disasters across all 36 states and Union Territories. This system integrates multiple dissemination channels, including SMS, TV, radio, coastal sirens, and satellite-based notifications through GAGAN and NavIC.
The CAP system has proven its efficacy, with over 4500 crore SMS alerts sent during recent disasters. In addition, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has initiated a pan-India, end-to-end secure Disaster Grade Cell Broadcasting System (CBS) for rapid alert dissemination.
Scientific and Technological Innovations for Disaster Preparedness
The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is playing a critical role in avalanche mitigation. The organization has established 72 snow meteorological observatories and 45 Automated Weather Stations (AWS) to monitor and analyze weather patterns, aiding in the prediction of glacial events.
Similarly, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) utilizes a suite of satellites, radars, and automatic weather stations to monitor weather conditions, particularly cyclones over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. INSAT 3D, 3DR, and SCATSAT satellites, alongside Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) and meteorological buoys, enhance forecasting accuracy, enabling timely interventions.
The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) plays a crucial role in glacial monitoring. WIHG has conducted extensive surveys of glacial lakes in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, identifying 1,266 lakes covering 7.6 km² in Uttarakhand and 958 lakes spanning 9.6 km² in Himachal Pradesh. The Central Water Commission (CWC) further complements this effort by monitoring 902 glacial lakes and water bodies, assessing changes in water spread areas, and identifying potentially hazardous expansions.
National Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Mitigation Project (NGRMP)
The government has approved the National Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Mitigation Project (NGRMP) with a financial outlay of Rs. 150 crore for implementation in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand. The objectives of NGRMP are:
- Preventing loss of life and minimizing economic damage due to GLOFs and similar events.
- Enhancing early warning and monitoring capacities, ensuring last-mile connectivity.
- Strengthening scientific and technical capabilities for GLOF risk reduction through local institutions and communities.
- Utilizing indigenous knowledge and state-of-the-art mitigation measures to address GLOF risks.
Under this initiative, GLOF monitoring and early warning systems (EWS) are being developed using remote sensing data and community-based alert dissemination mechanisms. Two Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have already been installed in Sikkim, with further EWS deployments planned in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad.
The CWC has devised a comprehensive risk indexing methodology to classify glacial lakes based on their likelihood of failure and the potential consequences of a GLOF event. This index is instrumental in prioritizing mitigation measures and directing resources to high-risk areas.
Strengthening Infrastructure and Policy Measures
Following the collapse of the Teesta-III Hydroelectric Dam in October 2023, the CWC has initiated a review of all existing and under-construction dams susceptible to GLOFs. The revised flood assessment guidelines mandate the inclusion of GLOF studies for all new dams in glacier-fed river basins, ensuring spillway capacities can withstand potential flood scenarios.
The NDMA’s Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CoDRR) has also undertaken high-risk glacial lake expeditions, engaging representatives from six Himalayan states and other stakeholders to develop tailored mitigation strategies. These include structural measures such as dam reinforcements and non-structural initiatives like community training programs for disaster response.
Community Engagement and Capacity Building
Public awareness and preparedness form the bedrock of effective disaster mitigation. NDMA has been actively conducting capacity-building programs, workshops, and community-based risk reduction initiatives to enhance disaster resilience. Training sessions focus on monitoring and alert mechanisms to ensure last-mile connectivity and effective response in the event of a disaster.
Moreover, government agencies are integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods to design effective mitigation strategies. The participation of local communities in hazard assessment and response planning has been pivotal in creating a more resilient disaster management framework.
The minister said that the Indian government’s proactive measures to address GLOF risks reflect a comprehensive and technology-driven approach to disaster management. By strengthening early warning systems, enhancing scientific monitoring, and involving local communities, authorities are ensuring that India is better equipped to handle the growing challenges posed by climate change and glacial hazards.
With continued investments in cutting-edge technology and robust policy frameworks, India is making significant strides toward reducing disaster risks and safeguarding vulnerable communities against the devastating impact of GLOFs and other natural calamities.
