Uttarakhand to Install First Glacial Lake Early Warning System

Uttarakhand’s First Glacial Lake Early Warning System

Why in News?

• Uttarakhand is installing its first real-time early warning system for a glacial lake at Vasundhara Tal in Chamoli to reduce the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). 
• A joint team of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, is carrying out the installation with support from SDRF, NDRF and ITBP. 
• The operation is scheduled from September 29 to October 15, 2026. 

Key Features of the System

• The system will continuously monitor: 
  • Water level and water flow to detect sudden changes. 
  • Rainfall, temperature, humidity and wind through an automatic weather station. 
  • Snow depth and temperature below the surface to track changes in snow conditions. 
  • Ground movement and vibrations using tilt and accelerometer sensors. 
• The system will operate using solar power, while data will be transmitted through satellite communication because mobile networks are unavailable in the region. 
• A monitoring dashboard will generate alerts when predefined safety limits are crossed. 

Glacial Lake Monitoring in Uttarakhand

• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has identified 13 high-risk glacial lakes in Uttarakhand, including five in the highest-risk Category A. 
• The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) identified 344 glacial lakes in Uttarakhand in 2023. 
• Of the 13 high-risk glacial lakes, 6 are in Pithoragarh, 4 in Chamoli, and 1 each in Bageshwar, Tehri Garhwal and Uttarkashi. 
• Bathymetric surveys have been completed at six lakes: 
  • Saraswati Tal and Vasundhara Tal – Chamoli 
  • Kedartal – Uttarkashi 
  • Mabang, Pyungru and Syunkti Yankti – Pithoragarh’s Darma Valley

Significance

• The initiative marks a shift from merely mapping vulnerable glacial lakes to monitoring them in real time. 
• Timely detection of abnormal changes can help authorities issue warnings and undertake evacuation and rescue measures before a possible GLOF affects downstream settlements, roads, bridges and hydropower projects. 
• The key challenge is to convert real-time lake data into timely warnings that can reach vulnerable communities before a flood occurs. 

What are Glacial Lakes?

• Glacial lakes are water bodies formed when meltwater collects in depressions created by glaciers and is held back by ice or moraine deposits. 
• Retreating glaciers deepen these depressions through erosion, which later fill with meltwater. 
• Moraine-dammed lakes are particularly unstable because their natural barriers contain loose rocks, sediments and buried ice. 

Causes of GLOFs

• Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) occur when the natural barrier of a glacial lake suddenly fails, releasing a large volume of water downstream. 
• Major triggers include: 
  • Rapid glacier melting due to climate change. 
  • Heavy rainfall and cloudbursts, which increase lake water and weaken moraine barriers. 
  • Avalanches, landslides and rockfalls, which can create powerful waves inside lakes. 
  • Earthquakes, which may destabilise slopes and moraine dams. 
  • Continued melting of ice within moraine structures. 
  • Sudden accumulation of water from rainfall, snowmelt or glacier melt. 
  • Unplanned infrastructure such as roads, tunnels, hydropower projects and excessive tourism can increase pressure on fragile mountain ecosystems. . 

Government Initiatives

• India has introduced a National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme covering vulnerable glacial lakes under different risk categories. 
• The disaster-management approach is increasingly shifting from post-disaster relief to prevention, monitoring and early warning. 
• Automated weather and water monitoring stations are being installed near vulnerable lakes. 
• Agencies such as GSI, IMD, ISRO, DRDO and the Central Water Commission contribute to glacier, rainfall, hydrology and hazard monitoring. 
• Research programmes support studies on glacier retreat, climate change and Himalayan ecosystem sustainability. 
• Capacity building includes training ITBP personnel, local volunteers and disaster-response teams for evacuation and rescue.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• NDMA is India’s apex statutory body for disaster management.
• It was established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and formally constituted on 27 September 2006. 
• It is headed by the Prime Minister and includes other members, with one member designated as Vice-Chairperson. 
• Its main role is to frame policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management and strengthen preparedness, mitigation and response. 
• Its broader vision is to create a safer and disaster-resilient India through prevention, preparedness, technology and sustainable development. 

Major Functions of NDMA

• Approves the National Disaster Management Plan. 
• Frames national policies and guidelines for disaster management. 
• Approves disaster-management plans of Central ministries and departments. 
• Provides guidelines to States for preparing their disaster-management plans. 
• Promotes integration of disaster prevention and mitigation into development projects. 
• Coordinates implementation of disaster-management policies and plans. 
• Recommends funds for disaster mitigation and preparedness. 

Disaster Management Framework in India

• State Governments have the primary responsibility for managing disasters. 
• The National Policy on Disaster Management, 2009 provides a framework for coordinated disaster management. 
• The institutional structure operates at three levels: 
  • National: NDMA, headed by the Prime Minister. 
  • State: SDMA, headed by the Chief Minister. 
  • District: DDMA, headed by the District Magistrate/Collector/Deputy Commissioner. 
• The National Executive Committee (NEC) assists NDMA at the national level. 
• A State Executive Committee (SEC) assists the SDMA. 
• India is also a signatory to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR). 

State-Level Institutions: State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)

• Headed by the Chief Minister. 
• Frames state-level disaster policies and plans. 
• Coordinates implementation of the State Disaster Management Plan. 
• Recommends funds for mitigation and preparedness. 
• Ensures disaster-risk reduction measures are incorporated into development plans. 

State Executive Committee (SEC)

• Headed by the Chief Secretary. 
• Coordinates and monitors implementation of national and state disaster-management policies and plans. 

District-Level Institution: District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)

• Established for every district under Section 25 of the Disaster Management Act. 
• Generally headed by the District Magistrate/Collector/Deputy Commissioner. 
• Responsible for planning, coordination and implementation of disaster management at the district level. 
• Can examine construction activities to ensure compliance with safety standards. 
• Coordinates relief, preparedness and emergency response at the district level.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

• NDRF is India’s specialised force for responding to major natural and human-induced disasters. 
• It was created under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and became operational in 2006. 
• It functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and works with NDMA, State Governments, SDRFs and district authorities. 
• It is headed by a Director General (DG). 
• Its motto is “Aapda Sewa Sadaiv Sarvatra” — Service during disasters, always and everywhere. 
• The force currently has 16 specialised battalions deployed across the country. 

Composition and Deployment

• NDRF personnel are drawn from BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles. 
• Each battalion has about 1,149 personnel and specialised search-and-rescue teams. 
• Battalions are strategically located in disaster-prone regions to reduce response time. 
• The force also uses regional response centres and forward deployment locations for rapid mobilisation. 

Major Functions

• Conducts search, rescue and evacuation during: 
  • Floods and cyclones 
  • Earthquakes and landslides 
  • Building collapses 
  • Industrial accidents 
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) emergencies 
  • Mountain and water-related disasters 
• Provides first aid, medical assistance and emergency relief.
• Supports states during disasters and trains SDRF personnel, government officials and community volunteers. 
• Conducts public awareness programmes and disaster-preparedness exercises. 
• Participates in international humanitarian and rescue operations when required. 

Legal Framework

• The Disaster Management Act, 2005 provides the legal basis for NDRF. 
• Section 44 provides for the establishment of the NDRF for specialised disaster response. 
• Section 45 deals with its control, training and deployment. 
• The National Disaster Response Fund is a separate financial mechanism for meeting response-related expenditure and should not be confused with the NDRF force. 
• Section 46 provides for Establishment of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for financing operations.

Practice Question

Question: Consider the following statements regarding glacial-lake monitoring and disaster management in Uttarakhand:

1. The system being installed at Vasundhara Tal will monitor water level, water flow, weather conditions and ground movements in real time. 
2. Of the 13 high-risk glacial lakes identified by the NDMA in Uttarakhand, five fall under Category A. 
3. Satellite communication will be used for the monitoring system because mobile networks are unavailable in the region. 
4. Section 44 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 deals with the establishment of the National Disaster Response Fund, while Section 45 deals with the training and deployment of the NDRF. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only

Explanation

• The system at Vasundhara Tal will continuously monitor water level, water flow, weather conditions and ground movement/vibrations. Hence, statement 1 is Correct.
• The NDMA has identified 13 high-risk glacial lakes in Uttarakhand, of which 5 are in Category A, the highest-risk category. Hence, statement 2 is Correct.
• Since mobile networks are unavailable in the region, satellite communication will be used to transmit monitoring data. Hence, statement 3 is Correct.
• Section 44 provides for the establishment of the NDRF, while Section 45 deals with its control, training and deployment. The National Disaster Response Fund is a separate financial mechanism. Hence, statement 4 is incorrect.