Dehradun, Oct 13 (PTI) The Uttarakhand government on Tuesday announced the successful installation of a pilot early-warning system equipped with advanced weather sensors at a glacial lake in Chamoli district, hailing the development as a significant boost to scientific monitoring of disaster risks in the sensitive Himalayan region.
The state government said this will help in monitoring and issuing timely alerts regarding the threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), with the sensors measuring diverse parameters, such as wind speed and direction, rainfall, solar radiation, air temperature and atmospheric pressure.
Additionally, floating and submerged water level sensors have been installed to monitor the lake’s level, along with two accelerometers and tilt sensors to gauge surface movement.
Another accelerometer-tilt sensor set has been specifically placed to monitor avalanche-related activity.
Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman said the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) initiated the installation of the early-warning system at Vasundhara Tal under the National Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Risk Mitigation Programme.
Scientists and technical experts from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee, and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, participated in the project.
D P Kanungo, a scientist at the CBRI and the head of the expedition team, said Vasundhara Tal is approximately 38.5 metres deep, 600 metres wide and 900 metres long. During the expedition, the team verified data transmission via various sensors and communication systems installed at the lake.
Kanungo noted that based on a comparison of current conditions with past data, no significant changes in the lake’s dimensions were observed.
The site for the pilot installation of the early-warning system was selected to minimise the risk of landslides and avalanches. The installation work was carried out with due consideration of the high-altitude Himalayan terrain, weather conditions and the safety of the equipment, he said.
The installed sensors will transmit data every two hours to dashboards located at the CBRI and the USDMA. In case of an emergency, the sensors will be capable of transmitting data immediately — without waiting for the scheduled two-hour interval — thereby facilitating timely detection of potential anomalies.
Further, to address problems like a lack of mobile-network connectivity, iridium satellite communication technology has been incorporated into the system, which will facilitate the transmission of the collected data. Arrangements involving solar panels and batteries have also been made to ensure uninterrupted power supply for the equipment in the remote area.
Commending the successful installation of the early-warning system, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, “The timely identification of potential threats posed by glacial lakes is crucial for a mountainous state like Uttarakhand. The system installed at Vasundhara Tal represents a significant step towards monitoring risks in high-altitude Himalayan areas, issuing timely warnings and ensuring the safety of people living in vulnerable zones.”
“The state government is continuously encouraging the use of modern technologies in disaster management, in collaboration with scientific institutions,” he added. PTI SPY ARB
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