PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
Tourism minister Satpal Maharaj met Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Thursday in New Delhi and requested a detailed study of naturally formed glaciers and large lakes in sensitive and high-altitude regions.
Maharaj said that many hilly areas of the country frequently face disasters such as landslides, cloudbursts and floods, which cause loss of life and property. He said that recent incidents in Uttarkashi, Pauri and Chamoli districts of Uttarakhand and in parts of Himachal Pradesh left people with little time to respond.
He said that although the country has advanced satellite technology and weather forecasting systems, there is a need to strengthen and improve their accuracy. According to him, scientists from the Meteorological Department and Earth Sciences should be tasked with carrying out studies on glaciers and lakes to reduce future risks.
Maharaj also stressed the importance of enhancing satellite-based monitoring systems, ensuring that information on cloudbursts and other disasters reaches State governments and local administrations immediately and using mobile networks, radio, television and other communication channels to alert the public in time. He requested the union minister to issue directions for urgent and effective measures on this matter.
