New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday cautioned the Union government of the possibility of Joshimath-like land subsidence in the hill state as he urged attention to fragile areas to pre-empt “widespread devastation”. He raised the concerns while virtually addressing the 148th Foundation Day of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) held at Mausam Bhavan in New Delhi.
“In the mountains, like it has happened at Joshimath, there are a number of areas in Himachal Pradesh as well which are gradually experiencing land subsidence. If the right solutions and mitigation measures are not taken at the right time, there could be widespread devastation,” Sukhu said, as quoted by the Indian Express.
“In the mountains, people have been building as they please. From this perspective, and the fact that Himachal Pradesh is also a seismic prone area, you need to pay attention to the state,” he added.
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At the event, two Doppler Weather Radars for the state were inaugurated virtually from New Delhi by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh.
These Doppler Weather Radars have been established at Jot in the Chamba district and another at Murari Devi in the Mandi district, the statement informed.
"Chief Minister said that these radars will be able to forecast heavy rain, thunderstorm and hailstorm within 100 kilometer radius in all directions, especially for short-range forecasting. These radars will be helpful to improve area-specific forecast and warning for the State," the government stated. They will also enhance weather monitoring capabilities and generate accurate data that will help the administration in making pre-arrangements to reduce damages caused due to weather-borne disasters, it further informed.
At the event, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu noted that one Doppler Weather Radar has already been installed at Kufri in Shimla district on January 15, 2021 and with the commissioning of these additional two radars, about 70 per cent area of the State will be covered for the weather forecast.
About 30 per cent area of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti district will not be covered under these Radars, CM Sukhu mentioned as he urged the Union Minister of State to provide additional radar for these districts so that these tribal districts could also be covered.
"He said that cloud bursts has caused heavy damages in Kinnaur district in the recent years, thus it was vital that a proper weather forecast mechanism be evolved to take preventive measures in advance. He said these incidents of cloud bursts have caused heavy damage to the area particularly the power projects," the government statement read.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretaries Onkar Sharma, R.D. Nazeem and Bharat Khera, Secretary Akshay Sood, Indian Meteorological Department Director M. Mahapatra and other senior officers attended the event.