Dehradun: Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have agreed to enhance mutual cooperation in disaster management, recognising the shared vulnerabilities of Himalayan states to hazards such as landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts and earthquakes.
The decision was taken during a visit by Himachal Pradesh additional chief secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) on Monday.During the meeting, Uttarakhand Disaster Management and Rehabilitation secretary Vinod Kumar Suman gave a detailed presentation on the state’s initiatives in disaster risk reduction, preparedness, rapid response, risk assessment and public awareness.Pant said, “Both states face similar geographical and environmental challenges, making it essential to share experiences, innovations and best practices to minimise disaster impacts.” He appreciated Uttarakhand’s Centre of Excellence for Landslide Mitigation and Management and expressed interest in establishing a similar facility in Himachal Pradesh with technical support from Uttarakhand.He also lauded the state’s landslide mitigation systems and the ‘Bhudev’ application, highlighting their potential usefulness for Himachal Pradesh.
Officials emphasised the importance of robust communication systems during disasters. The disaster data response network (DDRN), developed in Rudraprayag, was discussed as a model that could be replicated elsewhere to ensure faster information exchange during emergencies.Amid rising concerns over glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in the Himalayan region, both sides underlined the need for closer collaboration in monitoring glacial lakes, issuing timely warnings and strengthening mitigation measures.
Uttarakhand officials said coordinated efforts would be crucial in reducing the impact of major disasters.The two states also agreed to share expertise in earthquake-resistant construction techniques, particularly relevant for hill regions, to minimise loss of life and property. It was decided that formal memorandums of understanding (MoUs) would be signed to institutionalise cooperation across sectors, enabling the exchange of knowledge, technology, training and resources.Senior officials from both states, including representatives from disaster management authorities and related departments, were present at the meeting.
