Dr. Jitendra Singh Highlights India’s Disaster Preparedness at World Summit in Uttarakhand
Dr. Jitendra Singh announces expansion of Uttarakhand’s meteorological network, including six weather radars, 33 observatories, and 142 automatic weather stations, at the World Summit on Disaster Management in Dehradun.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and Minister of State for Earth Sciences, highlighted India’s strengthened disaster preparedness initiatives at the World Summit on Disaster Management held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
Addressing participants including Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, MPs, NDMA officials, and scientific experts, Dr. Singh outlined the State’s enhanced meteorological infrastructure. Currently, three weather radars are operational at Surkanda Devi, Mukteshwar, and Lansdowne, with three more to be commissioned soon at Haridwar, Pantnagar, and Auli. These are part of a broader network comprising 33 meteorological observatories, 142 automatic weather stations, 107 rain gauges, and district- and block-level monitoring systems, improving real-time forecasting and early warning dissemination.
Dr. Singh emphasized Uttarakhand’s suitability as a venue for global disaster dialogue, citing its geographical sensitivities, Himalayan ecosystem, and lived experience with events like the 2013 Kedarnath cloudburst and 2021 Chamoli disaster. He highlighted India’s efforts to expand disaster monitoring, including the Nowcast system providing three-hour forecasts and advanced forest fire weather services.
The Minister also stressed the need for strict compliance with alerts and land-use regulations to prevent ecological and infrastructural damage. He noted that illegal mining and construction near rivers can exacerbate flash floods, calling for community awareness and responsible practices.
Dr. Singh outlined initiatives linking disaster preparedness with economic opportunities, citing Himalayan agri-startups and CSIR-supported value-addition models that create sustainable livelihoods while using local resources efficiently. He noted India’s growing role in offering technical expertise and disaster resilience services globally, aligning with the government’s climate and Net Zero commitments.
The summit, attended by officials, faculty, and students, provided a platform to share best practices and insights, reinforcing India’s commitment to scientific capacity building, forecasting accuracy, and inter-agency coordination for vulnerable Himalayan regions.
Dr. Singh congratulated Chief Minister Dhami and the organizers, emphasizing that Uttarakhand’s experiences and innovations will contribute significantly to the global narrative on disaster mitigation, climate adaptation, and resilient development.