Dehradun, September 23: In a decisive move to strengthen disaster preparedness, Chief SecretaryAnand Bardhan chaired a high-level meeting on Tuesday with leading national scientific institutions to formulate a comprehensive strategy for landslide mitigation across Uttarakhand. The meeting brought together experts from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), and Central Water Commission, among others.

The Chief Secretary directed all participating institutions to identify landslide-prone zones and develop a predictive model that integrates satellite imagery with ground-based assessments. The proposed mechanism would forecast landslide risks based on rainfall intensity at specific locations, enabling timely evacuation and safeguarding lives.

He emphasized the urgency of coordinated action and instructed the IIRS, GSI, Wadia Institute, and Central Building Research Institute to expedite collaborative efforts. “Immediate and comprehensive measures are essential to mitigate the growing threat of landslides in the state’s vulnerable regions,” he stated.

Sensor Deployment in Glacial Lakes

In a parallel initiative, the Chief Secretary assigned the Wadia Institute the task of installing sensors in 13 glacial lakes across Uttarakhand. Six highly sensitive lakes have been prioritized for satellite and ground-based assessments, followed by sensor deployment. He also called for scientific studies to explore methods for reducing the sensitivity of these lakes to potential hazards.

To ensure seamless execution, the Wadia Institute will be supported by IIRS, GSI, Central Water Commission, and USAC. Shri Bardhan assured that adequate funding would be made available, eliminating any resource constraints for this critical work.

Call for Unified Action

Highlighting the importance of a multi-institutional approach, CS urged all stakeholders to act with urgency and seriousness to achieve the outlined objectives. The meeting was attended by Secretary Shri Vinod Kumar Suman, IG SDRF Shri Arun Mohan Joshi, UCOST Director General Prof. Durgesh Pant, scientists from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Geological Survey of India, Central Water Commission.