Need for Early Warning Systems in the Himalayas

• 07 Nov 2025

For Prelims:  Flash flood, Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), Landslides, Avalanches, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, Orographic lift

For Mains: Disaster Management in Himalayan Region, Impact of Climate Change on Glaciers, Early Warning System in Himalayas  

Source: TH 

Why in News?

The rising frequency of disasters in the Himalayan region has underscored the urgent need for robust Early Warning Systems (EWS) to predict and mitigate such events. 

What is an Early Warning System (EWS)?

• About: An Early Warning System (EWS) is a framework designed to detect, predict, and communicate the risk of hazards in advance, allowing timely action to reduce loss of life and property. 
• Multi-Hazard Early Warning System: Multi-hazard early warning systems address several hazards that may occur alone or simultaneously. 
  • Increasing the availability of multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information is one of seven global targets set by the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030. 
• Key Components: 
  • Risk Knowledge: Understanding hazard-prone areas. 
  • Monitoring & Forecasting: Using sensors, satellites, and AI for real-time data. 
  • Dissemination: Rapid communication of warnings to authorities and communities. 
  • Response Capability: Local preparedness and evacuation measures. 

What is the Need for EWS in the Himalayas? 

• Rising Disaster Vulnerability: A Down To Earth report notes that of 687 disasters recorded in India (1900–2022), about 240 occurred in the Himalayas - up from just five between 1902 and 1962. 
  • The region frequently faces landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, earthquakes, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), affecting millions across 12 Himalayan states and UTs. 
• Impact of Climate Change: There is a rapid glacial retreat and permafrost melt, which increases flood and slope instability. 
  • A 2024 Climate Change Journal study warns that 90% of the Himalayas could face year-long droughts if global warming reaches 3°C. 
• Tectonic and Geological Fragility: The Himalayas remain tectonically active as the Indian and Eurasian plates continue to collide. 
  • Major fault lines (Dhaulagiri, Indus-Ganga) in Seismic Zones IV and V trigger frequent earthquakes, landslides, and avalanches like the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. 
• Glacial, Hydrological, and Rainfall Hazards: Thousands of glaciers and glacial lakes pose risks of GLOFs, as seen in the 2023 South Lhonak Lake disaster in Sikkim. 
  • Cloudbursts and extreme rainfall events cause flash floods, e.g., Chamoli and Uttarkashi (2021). 
  • Deforestation, hydropower projects, and unregulated construction (e.g., Joshimath subsidence, Char Dham project) further weaken slope stability.

Initiatives for Strengthening Early Warning Systems (EWS)

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) Pilot Project: Deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based hailstorm alert systems in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, providing sub-kilometre scale forecasts for farmers. 
• India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF): Integration of models for rainfall and cloudburst prediction. 
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Development of regional frameworks for Himalayan disaster resilience. 
• Technology-Driven Monitoring Systems: ISRO and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) conduct real-time surveillance of glaciers, unstable slopes, and river basins. 
• Community-Based Disaster Management: The Disaster Management System–Himalaya (DMS-Himalaya) empowers local communities through training in pre-disaster preparedness, hazard mapping, and post-disaster response with inclusion of schools, panchayats, and local governance. 
• Google’s Android Earthquake Early Warning System: Launched in 2023 with NDMA and the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), using smartphone sensors to detect seismic activity. Alerts are based on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale, which measures perceived earthquake effects. 
• Early Warnings for All Initiative: Co-led by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), this global program supports India in ensuring every Himalayan community is protected by timely and reliable warnings. 

What are the Challenges in Implementing EWS in the Himalayas?

• Complex Terrain: The rugged and glaciated landscape of the Himalayas makes it extremely challenging to deploy and maintain technologies such as drones, radars, and sensors for effective early warning coverage. 
• Limited Data Infrastructure: There is a scarcity of ground-based observation stations, and many existing monitoring systems are outdated, leading to data gaps. 
• High Costs: Setting up and operating satellite-based communication systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven forecasting tools require significant financial investment, which often limits large-scale implementation. 
• Institutional Silos: Poor coordination among key agencies such as the NDMA, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and respective State governments hampers integrated disaster management efforts. 
• Community Awareness Gaps: Local communities often lack adequate understanding of early warning alerts and response protocols, reducing the effectiveness of the systems in preventing casualties. 
• Funding Constraints: Preventive and preparedness measures like EWS often receive less financial priority compared to post-disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts. 
• Cross-Border Data Sharing Issues: Limited cooperation with neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan, and China hinders real-time sharing of transboundary hazard data, affecting timely regional warnings. 

Way Forward 

• Integrated National Mission and Research Support: Establish a National Mission for Himalayan Early Warning Systems under the NDMA with dedicated funding and a research institute. 
• Leverage Technology: Utilise AI and machine learning to analyse real-time satellite data and set up automatic weather stations across valleys and glacial basins. 
• Community-Based EWS: Involve local volunteers and panchayats to ensure quick dissemination and understanding of alerts. 
• Cross-Border Cooperation: Create regional data-sharing mechanisms with Nepal, Bhutan, and China to monitor transboundary hazards, like the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) created for tsunamis.  
• Hazard Mapping: Develop district-level hazard zonation maps for scientific land-use planning. 
• Recommendations: The government can restrict construction in geologically unstable zones and prioritise vegetation conservation in landslide-prone areas, as recommended by the Mishra Committee in 1976. 
  • Disaster Management can be integrated into the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution as recommended by the J.C. Pant Committee.  
• Global Case Study: Successful mountain EWS initiatives like Cirenmaco Lake in the Central Himalayas (China), where unmanned boats monitor lake levels and ice collapses through satellite data, and Blatten Village in the Swiss Alps, where early alerts prevented glacier-collapse fatalities can offer valuable insights.  
  • Likewise, global examples such as Japan’s Earthquake EWS, Indonesia’s Tsunami EWS, and Switzerland’s Alpine Radar Network show that combining robust infrastructure with community participation can make the Himalayas safer and more resilient. 

Conclusion 

An effective Early Warning System (EWS) can save lives, safeguard livelihoods, and support India’s commitment to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action). The future of the Himalayan ecosystem, often called the “Third Pole,” relies on proactive, science-driven, and collaborative disaster management efforts.

Drishti Mains Question

Discuss the increasing vulnerability of the Himalayan region to climate-induced disasters. How can Early Warning Systems (EWS) strengthen India’s disaster preparedness?

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an Early Warning System (EWS)?
An EWS is a framework using sensors, satellites, and AI to detect and communicate potential hazards early, enabling timely action to reduce disaster losses.

2. Why are the Himalayas prone to frequent natural disasters?
Due to tectonic instability, glacial melting, deforestation, unplanned construction, and climate change, the Himalayas face recurring landslides, floods, and glacial lake outbursts.

3. Which Indian agencies are responsible for disaster warning systems?
NDMA, IMD, ISRO, and MoEFCC collaboratively monitor weather, earthquakes, floods, and glacial changes, providing alerts through regional and national disaster management networks.

4. What are global examples of effective EWS in mountains?
Japan’s earthquake alerts, Switzerland’s Alpine radar network, and China’s glacial flood monitoring show how advanced technology and coordination reduce mountain disaster risks. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)  

Prelims:

Q. Consider the following pairs: (2020)

1. Peak - Mountains 
2. Namcha Barwa- Garhwal Himalaya 
3. Nanda Devi- Kumaon Himalaya 
4. Nokrek - Sikkim Himalaya 

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2  

(b) 2 only  

(c) 1 and 3  

(d) 3 only  

Ans: (b)

Q. If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants are naturally growing there? (2014)

1. Oak  
2. Rhododendron  
3. Sandalwood  

Select the correct answer using the code given below:  

(a) 1 and 2 only  

(b) 3 only  

(c) 1 and 3 only  

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)

Q. When you travel in Himalayas, you will see the following: (2012)

1. Deep gorges  
2. U-turn river courses  
3. Parallel mountain ranges  
4. Steep gradients causing landsliding  

Which of the above can be said to be the evidence for Himalayas being young fold mountains?  

(a) 1 and 2 only  

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only  

(c) 3 and 4 only  

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 

Ans: (d)

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Mains: 

Q1. Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats. (2021) 

Q2. How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India? (2020)

Q3. “The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation. (2016)