Event Details

The design and implementation of a pioneering early warning system (EWS) for Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) is an innovative and pioneering engagement in disaster risk management under the project "Strengthening State Strategies for Climate Action" (SCA-Himalayas) funded by Switzerland

The establishment of the GLOFs EWS is a joint initiative of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). A milestone was set with the recent Indo-Swiss field expedition in Sikkim in September 2023. A team of Swiss experts from Geo test and Geo prevent, along with 27 experts of Indian government agencies (NDMA, SSDMA, Army, GSI, ITBP, CWC, NRSC, NCPOR, CBDC DGRE, So I, State Government of Sikkim, DRM experts from States government of Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh) went on a 10 days expedition the glacial lakes of Shako Cho and South Lhonak in the Upper Teesta River valley to install monitoring stations and assess GLOF risks. Information from these stations will be crucial to set up a pioneering EWS for GLOFs as reference for other Himalayan States to alert people and protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.

At the start of the field expedition on 8th September around 50 key stakeholders in Disaster Risk Management participated at a workshop in Gangtok to share experience and information of existing assessments for the design of the pioneering GLOFs EWS. At this occasion SDC handed over two monitoring stations to the Indian partners (NDMA, SSDMA).

Prior to the expedition Swiss experts did in-depth desktop analysis of GLOFs hazards and risk including digital modelling of multiple risk scenario and chain effects, to assess potential GLOF impacts, identify hotspot areas and lead time for the EWS. Results were presented to the Indian partners including NDMA and SSMDA. The desktop analysis as well as the field expedition confirmed the need for combination of mitigation measures mitigation and a EWS, which has to be combined with effective emergency alarm, evacuation and response protocols. SDC continues to support its Indian partners in GLOFs Risk management; for the pioneering EWS design as well as other relevant measures.

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