Tawang, Sep 23 : A five-day awareness and sensitisation programme on Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risks, aimed at strengthening preparedness among downstream communities located in the vicinity of high-risk glacial lakes in the Mago and Sela regions of Tawang District, concluded with a final programme at the SSB Out Post, Donghseng Mang, Lungla.
The concluding programme was attended by personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and members of the local community.
Addressing the participants, District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO), Tawang, Genden Tsomu emphasised the importance of GLOF risk awareness and preparedness among communities living in vulnerable downstream areas. She urged the participants to remain vigilant and ensure robust evacuation plans along with locally available early warning mechanisms.
Considering the low-lying location of the SSB camp at Donghseng Mang, she stressed the need for timely dissemination of warnings and called upon the participants to promptly alert neighbouring communities in the event of any indication of a flash flood or other emerging threat.
Dr. Bhupen Mili, Senior Consultant, explained the causes and potential impacts of GLOFs and briefed the participants on the possible time floodwaters could take to reach the Donghseng Mang SSB Camp in the event of an outburst. He also sensitised them on safe evacuation routes, image1790155682681.pngidentified safe locations, timely evacuation and the importance of coordinated community preparedness in protecting lives and property.
As part of the five-day campaign, similar awareness programmes were conducted at Chaksam, Phongda, Grangkhar and Khet Bridge, covering vulnerable downstream communities.
At Chaksam, ZPM Kyidphel Tenzin Monpa and Assistant Commissioner Sange Norbu joined the awareness programme and interacted with the local community. During the visit to Grangkhar, the village was identified as highly vulnerable, and residents were advised to identify suitable safe locations and evacuation routes that could be used during a GLOF or flash flood emergency.
Throughout the programme, personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) imparted hands-on training in life-saving skills, search and rescue techniques and emergency response procedures. The practical sessions were aimed at enhancing the preparedness and response capacity of local communities and other stakeholders during exigencies.
The five-day programme focused on sensitising participants about GLOF risks, locally available early warning mechanisms, evacuation procedures, identification of safe locations and community-level preparedness. Special emphasis was placed on timely action, effective communication and close coordination among communities, security forces and disaster management authorities during emergencies.
The programme also underscored the crucial role of community participation in disaster risk reduction, particularly in remote settlements situated downstream of high-risk glacial lakes. Participants were encouraged to remain alert to official warnings and strictly follow advisories and instructions issued by the District Administration and disaster management image1790155682688.pngauthorities.
The awareness campaign concluded with a renewed emphasis on strengthening community preparedness, improving local-level early warning dissemination and identifying designated safe locations and evacuation routes to minimise the potential loss of life and property in the event of a GLOF or flash flood.

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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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