TAG: GS 1: GEOGRAPHY, GS 3: DISASTER MANAGEMENT
THE CONTEXT: Following disasters inflicted by overflowing glacial lakes in the Himalayas, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has finalised a list of 189 “high-risk” glacial lakes for mitigation measures to reduce the risk emanating from them.
EXPLANATION:
- Some of the proposed steps include constituting teams to investigate these lakes and attempt “lake-lowering measures”, are done to buffer against any overflow, and mitigating potential damage in downstream States.
- Last October, the South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim, a glacier-formed lake, overflowed and inundated several parts of the Northeastern State killing at least 40 people and destroying the Chungthang dam.
National Glacial Lake Outburst Floods Risk Mitigation Programme
- The National Glacial Lake Outburst Floods Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP) was approved by the Centre on July 25.
- There are nearly 7,500 glacial lakes in the Himalayan mountain ranges located in India and some of them are being monitored via remote sensing.
- However, fully assessing its impact is only possible with site visits, which are difficult as the location of these lakes are in inhospitable terrain and there are only few months in a year — July to September — where expeditions can be mounted to access them.
- Recently, for instance, the Arunachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has sent two teams to six high-risk glacial lakes in the Tawang and Dibang Valley districts to study them.
- The Central Water Commission (CWC) in an October 2023 report stated that 902 glacial lakes and water bodies are being monitored via satellite.
- The programme aims at detailed technical hazard assessments, installing automated weather and water level monitoring stations (AWWS) and early warning systems (EWS) at the lakes and in downstream areas.
- So far, 15 expeditions have been conducted including six in Sikkim, six in Ladakh, one in Himachal Pradesh and two in Jammu and Kashmir. Another seven expeditions are underway.
- Multiple visits are often necessary to implement lake-lowering measures, some of which could require civil engineering.
Central Water Commission (CWC)
- Central Water Commission is a premier Technical Organisation in the country in the field of water resources.
- It is charged with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering, in consultation with the State Governments concerned, schemes for control.
- Conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country, for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Water Power Development.
- Central Water Commission CWC is headed by a Chairman, with the status of Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India.
- The work of the Commission is divided among 3 wings namely, Designs and Research (D&R) Wing, River Management (RM) Wing and Water Planning and Projects (WP&P) Wing.
- Altogether there are nineteen organizations located at headquarters in New Delhi and thirteen organizations spread over various locations in India.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
- The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), headed by the Prime Minister of India, is the apex body for Disaster Management in India.
- Setting up of NDMA and the creation of an enabling environment for institutional mechanisms at the State and District levels is mandated by the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- NDMA is mandated to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for Disaster Management. India envisions the development of an ethos of Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness and Response.
- The Indian government strives to promote a national resolve to mitigate the damage and destruction caused by natural and man-made disasters, through sustained and collective efforts of all Government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and People’s participation.
- This is planned to be accomplished by adopting a Technology-Driven, Pro-Active, Multi-Hazard and Multi-Sectoral strategy for building a Safer, Disaster Resilient and Dynamic India.
- NDMA has 5 major divisions viz. Policy & Plans, Mitigation, Operations & Communications & Information & Technology , Administration and Finance.