Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired a high-level meeting on Friday evening to discuss disaster risk reduction, resilience planning and related research initiatives. These initiatives are being undertaken by the Himalayan Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience at Himachal Pradesh University.
The Chief Minister directed the Centre to undertake detailed scientific studies on recurring cloudburst incidents in the state, including assessment of the impact of dams, temperature variations, terrain conditions and aerial-distance-based analysis associated with frequent cloudburst events in the Himalayan region. He further instructed that all State-level research and development activities related to disaster studies, hazard assessment and technical evaluations would be carried out through the Centre.
He said that the cloudbursts across the state have become a frequent phenomenon and people are suffering significant losses of life and property due to such incidents. He stressed on the urgent need to scientifically study the pattern of cloudbursts occurring in Himachal Pradesh.
Sh. Sukhu directed the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) to allocate Rs. six crore for capacity building and strengthening of the Centre through specialized training programmes. He also approved an additional grant of Rs. 10 crore for institutional strengthening and capacity enhancement initiatives.
He further directed HPSDMA to provide financial assistance for undertaking Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) studies through the Centre and allocated Rs. one crore for initiating GLOF-related scientific studies in the state. Stressing the need to further strengthen the Centre, he directed recruitment of additional professionals and domain experts to enhance its technical, scientific and research capabilities.
Appreciating the contribution of the Centre of HPU towards disaster risk reduction and resilience in the state, the Chief Minister said that similar scientific research should be expanded to other vulnerable regions of Himachal Pradesh to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience planning. He further said that the Centre would support the state government in conducting Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) studies.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi stressed on the need to strengthen in-house technical and scientific capacity in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience (DRRR), instead of depending upon outside agencies for landslide and GLOF-related studies. He appreciated the efforts of the Centre in DPR preparation, development of technical expertise and strengthening scientific capabilities within the state.
During the meeting, a presentation was made on the hydrodynamic model developed by the Centre for the Thunag region of Mandi district for scientific assessment of flash flood impacts, disaster-risk-informed planning and development of early warning mechanisms. The contribution of the Centre in disaster research, hazard assessment, mitigation planning, climate risk studies and technical support to the state was also highlighted.
Chairman HPTDC R.S Singh Bali, Vice-Chancellor Himachal Pradesh University Prof. Mahavir Singh, Director of the Centre Prof. N. S. Negi, Deputy Director Dr. Mahesh Sharma and other senior officers were present in the meeting.