Himalayan states directed to strengthen GLOF and avalanche preparedness

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed Himalayan states and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, to intensify monitoring of vulnerable glacial lakes and avalanche-prone areas. During a high-level meeting in New Delhi, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan emphasized the need to transition from response-oriented measures to risk-informed planning and preventive mitigation.

The directive focuses on strengthening early-warning systems and evacuation mechanisms to minimize loss of life and property. Officials reviewed the evolving risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) across the region, including the monitoring of flow paths and high-risk locations. The MHA also called for the acceleration of GLOF mitigation projects sanctioned by the Central Government in 2024.

Representatives from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir participated in the review. The meeting stressed the importance of continuous surveillance, prompt alert dissemination to local communities, and close coordination between state agencies, district administrations, and technical institutions.