Dehradun, Nov 30 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, revealed today that while three weather radars have been successfully installed at Uttarakhand's Surkanda Devi, Mukteshwar, and Lansdowne, plans are in place to commission three additional radars in Haridwar, Pantnagar, and Auli. This initiative aims to enhance the real-time forecasting capabilities for the area.

Speaking at the World Summit on Disaster Management, Dr Singh highlighted that the government has significantly improved Uttarakhand’s meteorological and disaster management systems over the past decade. He pointed out the establishment of 33 meteorological observatories, a network of radio-sonde and radio-wind systems, 142 automatic weather stations, 107 rain gauges, and district- and block-level rainfall monitoring systems, alongside extensive app-based outreach programs for farmers aimed at improving early warning dissemination.

The minister announced that India has launched a dedicated Himalayan climate study program to investigate the factors leading to sudden cloudbursts, aiming to create predictive indicators for at-risk districts. He mentioned the expansion of the “Nowcast” system, which previously provided a three-hour forecast in major metropolitan areas, now being rolled out across Uttarakhand to ensure timely alerts for local governments and communities.

Dr Singh emphasized the collaborative efforts among the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Ministry of Earth Sciences, and various scientific institutions to develop advanced forest fire weather services, showcasing a comprehensive approach to enhancing climate resilience.

He expressed concern regarding the insufficient adherence to IMD alerts in certain regions and called for stricter administrative actions. He recounted a recent event in Jammu & Kashmir where a newly appointed IAS officer averted a potential disaster by shutting down a highway following a red alert from the IMD, underscoring the importance of prompt action in saving lives.

Dr Singh urged the strict implementation of land-use regulations developed by the NDMA, the Ministry of Environment, and urban development authorities to avert long-term ecological and infrastructural damage. He warned that illegal mining along riverbanks and near newly constructed roads has become a significant threat, increasing the risk of flash floods and emphasized that short-term gains could result in long-term destruction.

He also discussed the potential to transform the strengths of the Himalayas into economic opportunities through agri-startups and CSIR-led value addition models. Sharing exemplary cases from Jammu & Kashmir, he noted that numerous young professionals, including B.Tech and MBA graduates, have transitioned from private-sector jobs to CSIR-supported ventures due to better incomes and market connections. He encouraged CSIR to collaborate closely with the Uttarakhand government to replicate these successful livelihood models that integrate science, entrepreneurship, and local resources.

Highlighting India's evolving global role in disaster resilience, he remarked that India is increasingly providing its technical expertise and services to neighboring nations. He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge at COP-26 to achieve Net Zero by 2070 and stressed that disaster preparedness, climate adaptation, and early warning systems are vital for sustainable economic growth. Preventing economic losses, he asserted, is equally critical as generating new economic value, making disaster mitigation an essential economic and humanitarian priority.

Dr Jitendra Singh commended Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and all participants for organizing the World Summit on Disaster Management. He noted that the insights garnered from Uttarakhand will significantly enrich the global dialogue on disaster mitigation, climate adaptation, and resilient development, reaffirming the Government of India’s commitment to enhancing scientific capacity, forecasting precision, and inter-agency coordination for vulnerable Himalayan regions.