The Minister of the Interior assesses the preparedness of the Himalayan states for the explosions of glacial lakes

Union Home Minister Govind Mohan. File | Photo credit: ANI

Union Home Minister Govind Mohan on Thursday (September 3, 2026) chaired a meeting with Himalayan states and Union Territories to review their preparedness against Glacial Lake Floods (GLOFs) and avalanches, stressing the need for proactive monitoring, risk-based planning and stronger early warning systems.

The assessment meeting comes in the wake of Nepal’s flash floods that have claimed the lives of hundreds of people while thousands remain missing.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretaries and State Disaster Management Authorities of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir along with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Water Commission (CWC), India Meteorological Department of Research (IMDGRED) and India Meteorological Research Institute (IMDGRED).

An evolving threat

Officials reviewed the evolving threat posed by GLOFs in the Himalayan region, focusing on monitoring vulnerable glacial lakes and snow-covered areas, identifying high-risk zones, mapping potential flow paths, improving warning dissemination, evacuation planning and strengthening emergency response mechanisms, the MHA said.

States and UTs outlined their preparedness and mitigation measures, including monitoring vulnerable glacial lakes, improving early warning systems, relaying last-mile alerts, community awareness programs, and deploying response resources in hazard-prone areas. The vulnerabilities and preparedness plans of individual states were also reviewed.

Mr. Mohan emphasized the need for continuous surveillance of vulnerable glacial lakes and avalanche-prone areas, especially during periods of increased risk, and called for close coordination between state agencies, district administrations and scientific institutions to ensure early warning action.

Focus on preventive mitigation

He said preparedness efforts should move beyond a response-oriented approach and focus on preventive mitigation, risk reduction and community-level preparedness. The home minister also urged states and UTs to regularly evaluate their preparedness plans, identify gaps in early warning and evacuation systems and take corrective measures well in advance of any extreme event.

The Center further asked states to expedite implementation of GLOF mitigation projects approved in 2024 and directed agencies to strengthen interagency coordination and regular sharing of risk information to minimize loss of life and property in vulnerable Himalayan regions.

Published – 03 Sep 2026 20:06 IST