Arunachal Pradesh has taken a proactive step to strengthen disaster preparedness by training officials in advanced techniques to monitor and mitigate risks from glacial lakes, amid growing concerns over potential Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
With 32 high-risk glacial lakes identified in the state, the Arunachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) has organised a comprehensive three-day hands-on training programme under the National GLOF Risk Management Programme. The initiative, which began on Saturday, aims to build technical capacity among officials for conducting detailed surveys of vulnerable lakes.
Participants received practical training on bathymetry survey devices through classroom sessions, field exercises, and real-time data collection at Ganga Lake. Experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Geological Survey of India (GSI), Arunachal Pradesh Space Application Centre, Water Resources Department, and various district disaster management units actively joined the programme.
A senior APSDMA official emphasised that bathymetric surveys are critical for evaluating the stability of glacial lakes and designing effective mitigation strategies. He noted that past attempts at such studies had faced administrative challenges, prompting the authority to procure its own specialised equipment. The training also highlighted the importance of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) studies to understand the internal structure of moraine dams holding back these lakes.
Officials stressed the need for inter-departmental coordination and the development of a larger pool of trained experts to carry out future surveys and long-term risk reduction measures. The programme reflects the state’s serious approach to addressing climate-induced hazards that threaten downstream communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems in the fragile Himalayan region.
This capacity-building effort forms part of Arunachal Pradesh’s broader strategy to enhance resilience against natural disasters. As glacial lakes continue to expand due to rising temperatures, such scientific interventions are expected to play a vital role in safeguarding lives and livelihoods across the state.
Tags: Arunachal Pradesh, GLOF, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, APSDMA, Bathymetry Survey, Disaster Management, Climate Change, Northeast India, Ganga Lake, Risk Mitigation
Hashtags: #ArunachalPradesh #GLOF #GlacialLake #DisasterManagement #ClimateResilience #APSDMA #NortheastIndia #Bathymetry #HimalayanSafety #GLOFRisk
