Itanagar, May 9: The Arunachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) organised a three-day hands-on training programme on the use of bathymetry survey devices in Itanagar as part of the National GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods) Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP) and efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness in the state.
The training programme aimed to enhance the technical capacity of officials and experts who are expected to participate in future surveys of high-risk glacial lakes in Arunachal Pradesh.
According to APSDMA, the state currently has 32 identified high-risk glacial lakes that pose the threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
The programme began with theoretical sessions covering the technical aspects, operation, and applications of bathymetry survey devices. This was followed by practical demonstrations and field-based training exercises at Ganga Lake, including data collection and processing activities.
Experts and officials from several departments and agencies, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Geological Survey of India (GSI), Arunachal Pradesh Space Application Centre (APSAC), the Water Resources Department, and members of SDMAs and DDMAs from across the state, participated in the training.
The initiative forms part of APSDMA’s broader strategy to strengthen preparedness against potential GLOF incidents, especially in view of the increasing size of several glacial lakes and the risks posed to downstream communities.
Speaking on the occasion, the Joint Director of APSDMA said bathymetric surveys are crucial for assessing the potential risks associated with identified glacial lakes and for planning mitigation measures. He noted that earlier attempts to conduct such studies could not materialise due to administrative challenges, prompting the authority to procure its own bathymetry survey device.
He further stated that APSDMA currently lacks adequate technical experts in the field and has sought support from specialists across various departments for future survey and mitigation activities.
The Joint Director also stressed the need for conducting Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) studies to examine the internal structure and stability of moraine dams surrounding glacial lakes. He said such assessments are vital for effective risk management and appropriate mitigation planning, and appealed to the concerned departments to extend support for conducting ERT studies in the state.