National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared the revised National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP)- 2019 which addresses Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) issues in detail.  NDMA has also issued guidelines on Management of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in October, 2020.  The guidelines, inter-alia, contain roles and responsibilities, including actions to be taken by various stakeholders,  which include agencies of Central and State Governments, for disaster risk management for GLOF.  State Government of Uttarakhand has informed that Early Warning Systems, Automatic Weather Station are installed at various locations to protect the susceptible areas.

    NDMA has constituted a joint study team of experts from different Institutes and organizations of Central and State Governments to understand the causes of the flash floods in River Rishiganga and Dhauliganga and to suggest Mitigation/Preparedness measures to prevent such future events.  Government of Uttarakhand has also constituted a Committee to review the Glacial Natural Lakes and its effects.  As per information received from the State Government of Uttarakhand, 74 dead bodies have been recovered so far and 130 persons are still reported missing.  State Government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 4 lakh each for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the incident.

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.

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NW/RK/PK/AD/DDD/PJ/4519