Tawang Concludes Five-Day GLOF Awareness Campaign in Vulnerable Areas
The five-day campaign covered vulnerable communities in the Mago and Sela regions, with training on early warnings, evacuation, safe locations, search and rescue and emergency response.
TAWANG- A five-day awareness and sensitisation programme on Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risks concluded at the SSB Out Post, Donghseng Mang, Lungla, with an emphasis on strengthening preparedness among downstream communities located near high-risk glacial lakes in the Mago and Sela regions of Tawang district.
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 awareness and preparedness among communities living in vulnerable downstream areas.
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She urged participants to remain vigilant and ensure robust evacuation plans and locally available early warning mechanisms. Given the low-lying location of the Donghseng Mang SSB camp, she stressed the importance of timely dissemination of warnings and called upon participants to promptly alert neighbouring communities in the event of a possible flash flood or other emerging threat.
Dr. Bhupen Mili, Senior Consultant, explained the causes and potential impacts of GLOFs and briefed participants on the possible time floodwaters could take to reach the Donghseng Mang SSB Camp in the event of an outburst.
Participants were also sensitised on safe evacuation routes, identified safe locations, timely evacuation and coordinated community preparedness aimed at protecting lives and property.
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Awareness programmes across vulnerable locations
As part of the five-day campaign, similar awareness programmes were conducted at Chaksam, Phongda, Grangkhar and Khet Bridge, covering downstream communities considered vulnerable to GLOF and flash-flood risks.
At Chaksam, ZPM Kyidphel Tenzin Monpa and Assistant Commissioner Sange Norbu joined the awareness programme and interacted with local residents.
During the visit to Grangkhar, the village was identified as highly vulnerable. Residents were advised to identify suitable safe locations and evacuation routes that could be used during a GLOF or flash-flood emergency.
SDRF conducts hands-on training
Throughout the campaign, personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) provided hands-on training in life-saving skills, search and rescue techniques and emergency response procedures.
The practical sessions were aimed at strengthening the preparedness and response capacity of local communities and other stakeholders during emergencies.
The five-day programme focused on 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 coordination among communities, security forces and disaster management authorities during emergencies.
Focus on community preparedness
The programme also highlighted the role of community participation in disaster risk reduction, particularly in remote settlements located downstream of high-risk glacial lakes.
Participants were encouraged to remain alert to official warnings and follow advisories and instructions issued by the District Administration and disaster management authorities.
The awareness campaign concluded with renewed emphasis on strengthening community preparedness, improving local-level early warning dissemination and identifying designated safe locations and evacuation routes to minimise potential loss of life and property in the event of a GLOF or flash flood.
