Dr Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences, told reporters in Dehradun on 30 November that, besides the three weather radars already set up at Surkanda Devi, Mukteshwar and Lansdowne, a new trio will soon begin operating in Haridwar, Pantnagar and Auli. These additions are expected to boost the state’s real‑time forecasting power.
Speaking at the World Summit on Disaster Management, the minister highlighted the dramatic upgrade of Uttarakhand’s weather and disaster‐monitoring network over the past decade. He pointed out that the Centre has put in place 33 meteorological observatories, a radio‑sonde and wind‑measurement lattice, 142 automatic weather stations, 107 rain gauges and district‑ and block‑level rainfall trackers, alongside a suite of mobile apps to keep farmers informed.
India has also launched a specialised Himalayan climate study programme to dissect the factors that spark sudden cloudbursts and to craft predictive signals for at‑risk districts. Dr Singh noted that the “Nowcast” model—offering a three‑hour forecast that has worked in major metros—is being scaled across Uttarakhand so that local authorities and communities receive alerts in a timely way.
He added that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the Ministry of Earth Sciences and a handful of research bodies have teamed up to deliver cutting‑edge forest‑fire weather services, describing the approach as a full‑government, full‑science partnership for climate resilience.
Concerned that some areas fail to heed IMD warnings, the minister urged tighter administrative enforcement. He recalled a recent incident in Jammu & Kashmir where an IAS officer halted a highway immediately after a red alert, which prevented a major disaster and saved lives.
The minister also stressed that land‑use rules issued by the NDMA, the Ministry of Environment and urban planners must be taken seriously to stave off long‑term ecological and structural harm. He warned that illegal mining near riverbeds and new highways is becoming a growing man‑made hazard that weakens foundations and magnifies flash‑flood risks, urging people to see that short‑term profits can lead to lasting damage.
On the economic side, Dr Singh talked about turning Himalayan resources into business opportunities via agri‑startups and CSIR‑led value‑addition projects. He cited examples from Jammu & Kashmir, where several B.Tech and MBA graduates have left corporate jobs to join CSIR enterprises, attracted by higher earnings and better market links. He called on CSIR to work closely with the Uttarakhand government to replicate such livelihood models that marry science, entrepreneurship and local assets.
The minister also underlined India’s expanding international role in disaster resilience, noting that the country is increasingly exporting its technical know‑how and services to neighbours. He remembered Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge at COP‑26 to reach Net Zero by 2070, stressing that disaster preparedness, climate adaptation and early‑warning systems are essential to sustainable growth. “Preventing economic loss is just as vital as generating new value,” he said, framing mitigation as both an economic and humanitarian priority.
Finally, Dr Singh congratulated Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and all the organisers of the summit, saying that the insights from Uttarakhand will enrich the global conversation on disaster mitigation, climate adaptation and resilient development while reaffirming India’s commitment to strengthen scientific capacity, forecasting accuracy and inter‑agency coordination for the vulnerable Himalayan region.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
