Govt prioritising Glacial Lake Risk mitigation: Dr Mishra

Jammu, Nov 12: Emphasizing the urgent need to mitigate the risks posed by glacial lakes and en-sure a safer future for communities across India, Dr. PK Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, highlighted the critical importance of proactive strategies in addressing the growing threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
Addressing the 4th Workshop of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CoDRR), which focused on strategies for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risk reduction, Dr. Mishra com-mended the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Department of Water Resources for organizing the workshop. He highlighted India’s experiences, gaps, and challenges in mitigating risks related to GLOFs, particularly in light of recent incidents like the South Lho-nak GLOF disaster in Sikkim, which he called a “wake-up call.”
In his address, Dr. Mishra quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing that disaster risk reduction is not only about responding to disasters but also about building resilience. “The best way to deal with disasters is to prevent them,” he reiterated, underscoring the importance of pro-active measures in safeguarding communities.
Dr. Mishra also stressed the significance of international cooperation in tackling GLOF risks. He highlighted India’s commitment to collaborating with experts from countries such as Bhutan, Nepal, Peru, Switzerland, and Tajikistan to enhance response strategies.
Addressing the challenges in GLOF mitigation, Dr. Mishra noted confusion over the scope of the problem, such as the number of glacial lakes and their associated risks. He pointed out that previ-ous attempts to mitigate risks from the South Lhonak Lake were unsuccessful, primarily due to a lack of coordinated responsibility among states and central agencies.
To address these challenges, Dr. Mishra emphasised the creation of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CoDRR), a platform that has facilitated better coordination and communication between central scientific agencies and states. He expressed optimism that, through the tri-focal approach of assessment, monitoring, and mitigation, India has made substantial progress.
Dr. Mishra also mentioned that India has compiled a dynamic list of around 200 high-risk glacial lakes out of 7,500 surveyed. This process has enabled the categorization of these lakes based on their risk levels. He highlighted the role of states in assessing the most critical lakes, with Sikkim teams visiting 18 out of 40 designated lakes and initiating mitigation plans at five locations.
The Government of India has approved the National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme, with an allocation of ₹150 crores to support mitigation efforts in four states. Dr. Mishra suggested that states and union territories continue to lead monitoring and mitigation efforts, with sustained support from central scientific institutions. Strengthening State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) will be crucial in enhancing response capabilities.
He also proposed the creation of a dedicated financial window for GLOF risk reduction across affected states and UTs, which he believes would contribute to safeguarding India’s water secu-rity by protecting the health of glaciers.
The event was attended by dignitaries, including members of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other eminent panelists.