Tawang, Oct 28 :  The Arunachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA), in collaboration with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Tawang, conducted the second phase of its Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) awareness programme from October 25-27, focusing on communities residing downstream of Jerjang Tso, one of the high-risk glacial lakes in Tawang district. With this, all downstream villages associated with the nine high-risk glacial lakes in Tawang district identified by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), under the GLOF Risk Sensitisation Programme have been covered.
The programme witnessed the participation of villagers from Namtseling village under Duitongkhar Circle, Brokethang village, Jemithang, Bapkangteng, Gorsam and other vulnerable settlements, along with personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).
During the programme,  Nob Tsering, Joint image1793175791548.pngDirector, APSDMA, sensitized the participants through a PowerPoint presentation on the potential occurrence of GLOF events originating from Jerjang Tso and their possible impacts on human lives, property, livelihoods and socio-economic activities in downstream areas.
Emphasizing that although natural hazards such as GLOFs cannot be prevented, their impacts can be substantially reduced through preparedness and timely response and urged the villagers to develop robust evacuation plans. He stressed the importance of identifying safe evacuation routes and establishing safe shelters at suitable locations, preferably at least 100 metres above the downstream level of Jerjang Tso.
He further encouraged the villagers to maintain close coordination with the ITBP and the Indian Army personnel stationed in the upper reaches of the area to facilitate the timely sharing of image1793175791550.pngwarnings and ensure the immediate evacuation of vulnerable communities in the event of an impending GLOF. He also assured the participants that alarm devices would be distributed shortly to strengthen the local early-warning and emergency-response mechanism.
Jemithang Circle Officer Tsetan Droma accompanied the team during the entire programme and facilitated the team to impart GLOF Risk training in circle. The team also conducted an awareness programme for downstream communities vulnerable to potential GLOF events from Dongchin Tso, another high-risk glacial lake in Tawang district, under Jang Circle. Villagers from RA-III and Marmang village, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) labourers, and students of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Jang were sensitized to GLOF risks, warning signals and the essential safety measures to be followed image1793175791552.pngupon receiving an alert.
As an immediate mitigation measure against the impending risk posed by high-risk glacial lakes, Nob Tsering, requested the respective Village Heads to identify suitable and safe locations along with an evacuation routes for vulnerable communities. The Village Heads were further directed to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) in consultation with the concerned Works Department and other relevant technical departments and submit it on an urgent basis. The proposals will subsequently be taken up with the government for consideration and necessary approval.
Dorjee Khandu, Deputy Director (SDMA), sensitized the school authorities and students of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Jang, on the preparation and implementation of a comprehensive School Disaster Management
image1793175791554.pngPlan (SDMP). He emphasized the importance of a systematic evacuation plan for responding effectively to any kind of disaster, highlighting the need to identify safe evacuation routes and designated safe assembly areas to ensure the safety of students, teachers and other school personnel during emergencies.
DDMO, Tawang Gendan Tsomu riterated the importance of remaining alert, following official advisories and cooperating with the District Administration and emergency response agencies to ensure safety of the vulnerable communities.
Leki Gombu, Zilla Parishad Chairperson (ZPC), Tawang, who attended the programme, urged the school authorities of Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya to ensure that the School Disaster Management Plan is prepared and regularly updated. He also emphasized the need to conduct mock drills at regular intervals to
image1793175791555.pngfamiliarize students with evacuation procedures and emergency-response protocols, adding that such preparedness measures are essential for managing all types of disasters.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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