Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Advisor and Chairman of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), UT Ladakh, chaired a significant meeting on July 10 regarding the preparedness for potential Glacial Lake Outburst Flow (GLOF) and floods due to cloudburst hazards in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The meeting was held at the Civil Secretariat, Leh.

The primary focus of the meeting was on comprehensive deliberations and discussions concerning vulnerable areas prone to floods due to cloudbursts affecting lakes (Tso) in Ladakh. Dr. Kotwal reviewed detailed reports on vulnerable lakes in the Leh, Kargil, and Zanskar regions. He instructed the District Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police of Leh and Kargil to identify suitable locations in their respective districts to accommodate the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team. The Additional Director General of Police, Ladakh, assured that the NDRF team would be provided accommodation in existing District Police Lines.

Dr. Kotwal directed the Union Territory Disaster Response Force (UTDRF) to visit identified vulnerable points to assess the risk and enhance preparedness. He emphasized the need for the latest equipment, including solar charging panels and satellite phones, to be made available to the concerned officers. He also urged the UTDRF to provide training to the Aapda Mitr (Volunteers) and residents to ensure the safety of human lives during natural disasters.

He highlighted the importance of community involvement and advanced preparedness in mitigating the impact of GLOFs in Ladakh. Proactive planning, coordination, and preparedness were underscored as crucial elements to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters.

The meeting focused on preparedness and response measures for potential GLOF and flood risks due to cloudburst hazards in the UT of Ladakh. Strategic deliberations and discussions aimed at enhancing Ladakh’s resilience and disaster management capabilities were central to the meeting's agenda.

The meeting was attended by the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Ladakh Police, UT Ladakh; the Commissioner/Secretary of the Forest Department, UT Ladakh; the Commissioner/Secretary of Planning Department, UT Ladakh; the Administrative Secretary of the Department of Disaster Management Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, UT Ladakh; the Administrative Secretary of RDD&PR Department, UT Ladakh; the Administrative Secretary of Power Development Department, UT Ladakh; the District Magistrate, Leh, UT Ladakh; the Senior Superintendent of Police, Leh, UT Ladakh; Lieutenant Colonel Prateek Gupta GSO-1 (OPS), HQRS Leh Sub Area; the Superintendent of Police, UTDRF, UT Ladakh; the Director of Indian Meteorological Department, UT Ladakh; the Dean of Research Studies, Ladakh University, UT Ladakh; Under Secretary of the Department of Disaster Management Relief Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Ladakh; and other concerned officials. Additionally, the Commandant-13 NDRF, Ludhiana Punjab; the District Magistrate, Kargil, UT Ladakh; the Senior Superintendent of Police, Kargil; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Kargil; and other concerned officials joined the meeting virtually.