Leh, 10 July 2024: The Advisor to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor & the Chairman of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), UT Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal chaired a significant meeting regarding the preparedness for dealing with possible Glacial Lake Outburst Flow (GLOF) and Floods due to Cloudburst hazards in the Union Territory of Ladakh, at the Civil Secretariat, Leh.

The meeting focused on comprehensive deliberations and discussions regarding vulnerable areas prone to floods due to cloud bursts affecting lakes (Tso) in Ladakh.

The Advisor reviewed detailed reports on vulnerable lakes in the Leh, Kargil, and Zanskar regions. He instructed the District Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police of Leh and Kargil to identify suitable locations in their respective districts to accommodate the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team.

The Additional Director General of Police, Ladakh assured the NDRF team that they would be provided accommodation in existing District Police Lines.

Dr Pawan Kotwal directed the Union Territory Disaster Response Force (UTDRF) to visit identified vulnerable points to assess the risk and enhance preparedness. He emphasized the need for the latest equipment, including solar charging panels and satellite phones, to be made available to the concerned officers.

He urged the UTDRF to provide training to the Aapda Mitr (Volunteers) and residents to ensure the safety of human lives during natural disasters. He highlighted the importance of community involvement and advanced preparedness in mitigating the impact of GLOFs in Ladakh. He emphasized the importance of proactive planning, coordination, and preparedness to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters.

The meeting focused on preparedness and response measures for potential Glacial Lake Outburst Flow (GLOF) and flood risks due to cloudburst hazards in the UT of Ladakh. The meeting resulted in strategic deliberations & discussions, and decisions aimed at enhancing Ladakh’s resilience and disaster management capabilities.

The meeting was attended by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Ladakh Police, UT Ladakh; the Commissioner/Secretary of the Forest Department, UT Ladakh; the Commissioner/Secretary of Planning Department, UT Ladakh; the Administrative Secretary of Department of Disaster Management Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, UT Ladakh; the Administrative Secretary, RDD&PR Department, UT Ladakh; the Administrative Secretary of Power Development Department, UT Ladakh; the District Magistrate, Leh, UT Ladakh; the Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh, UT Ladakh; the Lieutenant Colonel Prateek Gupta GSO-1(OPS), HQRS Leh Sb Area; the Superintendent of Police, UTDRF, UT Ladakh; the Director of Indian Meteorological Department, UT Ladakh; the Dean Research Studies, Ladakh University, UT Ladakh; Under Secretary of Department of Disaster Management Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Ladakh; and concerned officials, while the Commandant-13 NDRF, Ludhiana Punjab; the District Magistrate, Kargil, UT Ladakh; the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kargil; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil and concerned officials joined the meeting virtually.

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