**Executive Summary**
This report details the Ministry of Earth Sciences' (MoES) development of a Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) and strengthened meteorological infrastructure in Himalayan States, specifically Uttarakhand. The document outlines advanced forecasting for floods, landslides, and glacier changes submitted to the Lok Sabha on April 1, 2026. Key infrastructure milestones include the operationalization of Doppler Weather Radars in 2024 and additional weather stations in 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Advanced Early Warning Systems**
* **Multi-Hazard System:** MoES has implemented a GIS-based Decision Support System (DSS) to detect and monitor weather hazards like cyclones and heavy rainfall.
* **Flood Forecasting:** The Central Water Commission (CWC) provides short-range forecasts (24-hour lead time) and seven-day advisory forecasts via the FloodWatch India 2.0 app and other digital platforms.
* **Localized Inundation Tools:** The C-FLOOD web platform offers two-day advance village-level inundation maps, while the South Asia Flash Flood Guidance System provides watershed-level warnings 6–24 hours in advance.
* **Landslide Bulletins:** The Geological Survey of India (GSI) issues daily regional landslide forecasts for 21 districts across 8 states, providing a 48-hour outlook during the monsoon.
**Infrastructure Upgrades in Uttarakhand**
* **Radar Network:** A new X-Band Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) became operational at Lansdowne in February 2024, bringing the state's total to three operational DWRs.
* **Observational Stations:** Six new Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) were installed in 2025, totaling 31 stations across the state.
* **Specialized Monitoring:** The state utilizes 20 Automatic Rain Gauges and 71 District-wise Rainfall Monitoring Scheme stations; a Helipad Automated Weather Observing System (HAWOS) is active at Kedarnath for high-altitude monitoring.
**Glacier and Climate Monitoring**
* **Satellite Surveillance:** ISRO uses remote sensing and GIS to monitor glacier extent, movement, and the risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
* **Long-term Research:** Analysis from 1984 to 2023 indicates notable changes in Himalayan glacial lakes, with reports of accelerated mass loss in the region.
* **Institutional Collaboration:** Multiple departments, including the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), monitor six glaciers in the Chandra basin to study climate change impacts.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments (including Uttarakhand)**
**Impact**
They receive critical short-range flood and landslide forecasts and utilize upgraded meteorological infrastructure for regional safety.
**Action Required**
Use C-FLOOD inundation maps and GSI landslide bulletins to manage local disaster responses and plan resilient watershed development.
**National and State Disaster Management Authorities (NDMA/SDMAs)**
**Impact**
These bodies are responsible for the timely dissemination of alerts through portals like Sachet and taking action on IMD alerts regarding extreme weather.
**Action Required**
Monitor the integrated telecommunications technologies and IMD alerts to initiate timely emergency actions for cyclones, lightning, and droughts.
**Farmers and Watershed Planners**
**Impact**
They are supported by agrometeorological advisory services (AAS) to mitigate the effects of changing climate conditions on agriculture.
**Action Required**
Adopt operational changes based on the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) advisories and use climate hazard atlases for prioritising risk mitigation.
**Scientific and Research Institutions (ISRO, NCPOR, GSI)**
**Impact**
These agencies are mandated to provide the technical data and satellite imagery necessary for monitoring environmental changes and hazards.
**Action Required**
Continue systematic monitoring of glacier dynamics and rainfall thresholds to maintain the accuracy of early warning systems.
Key Entities Referenced
Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS): A comprehensive framework developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences for detecting and monitoring weather hazards like cyclones and heavy rainfall using GIS-based Decision Support Systems.
India Meteorological Department (IMD): The agency providing scientific and technical support for disaster preparedness, including precipitation forecasts, agrometeorological advisories, and district-level hazard atlases.
Central Water Commission (CWC): The authority under the Ministry of Jal Shakti mandated to issue short-range and seven-day advisory flood forecasts, utilizing platforms like FloodWatch India 2.0 and C-FLOOD.
Geological Survey of India (GSI): The organization responsible for issuing regional landslide forecasts and experimental bulletins based on rainfall thresholds during the monsoon period.
Himalayan States (Uttarakhand): The primary geographic focus for the deployment of advanced meteorological infrastructure, including Doppler Weather Radars and glacial monitoring systems.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: EARLY WARNING
SYSTEM IN HIMALAYAN STATES
Posted On: 01 APR 2026 11:44AM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has developed a comprehensive Multi-Hazard Early Warning
System (MHEWS) consisting of observational networks, forecasting models, and an indigenously
developed GIS-based Decision Support System (DSS), which serves as the front end for early warning
systems to enable detection and monitoring of weather hazards, such as cyclones, heavy rainfall, etc. The
system is integrated with modern telecommunications technologies to ensure the timely dissemination of
information.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) is mandated to issue
short-range flood forecasts, with a lead time of up to 24 hours, to concerned State Governments at
identified locations, including the Himalayan States such as Uttarakhand. Timely flood forecasts are being
issued when a certain threshold limit is reached. Further, CWC is providing a seven-day advisory flood
forecast through (https://ffs.india-water.gov.in/)/FloodWatch India 2.0 App/E-mail/Whatsapp/Facebook-
CWCOfficial.FF/X-CWCOfficial_FF, Youtube-CWC Flood updates, and CAP Alert through the National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Sachet portal. In addition, a C-FLOOD is a web-based platform
that provides two-day-advance inundation forecasts up to village level in the form of flood inundation
maps and water level predictions. Also, the South Asia Flash Flood Guidance System provides flash flood
warnings 6-24 hours in advance at the watershed level, with a resolution of 4km x 4km for flash flood-
prone South Asian countries.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI), under the Ministry of Mines, has been mandated to issue regional
landslide forecasts/early warnings based on rainfall thresholds. Currently, GSI issues daily
operational/experimental regional landslide forecast bulletins for 21 districts in 08 (eight) States,
including Uttarakhand, during the monsoon period. These bulletins forecast information on the possibility
of the occurrence of landslides up to the taluk/sub-divisional level daily for the next 48 hours.
The meteorological infrastructure in Uttarakhand has been strengthened during the last three years with
the following upgrades:
A new X-Band Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) was installed and made operational at Lansdowne
on 23 February 2024. With this addition, a total of three DWRs are now operational in the State,
located at Surkandaji, Mukteshwar, and Lansdowne.
Six (06) new Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) were installed in 2025, taking the total number of
AWS in the State to 31.
The State is equipped with 20 Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs) and 71 stations under the District-
wise Rainfall Monitoring Scheme (DRMS).
Additionally, one Helipad Automated Weather Observing System (HAWOS) has been installed at
Kedarnath to support weather monitoring in high-altitude regions.The Government is using satellite-based remote sensing systems to monitor the melting and changes in
the Himalayan glaciers. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) employs advanced remote
sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies to systematically monitor glacier extent,
mass, movement, and dynamics in the Himalayan region. Satellite remote sensing serves as an effective
tool for glacier inventory and monitoring due to its wide spatial coverage and frequent revisit capability.
The assessment of long-term changes in glacial lakes is crucial for understanding glacier retreat, assessing
the risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and analysing the impacts of climate change. Further,
analysis of long-term satellite imagery covering the catchments of the Indian Himalayan river basins from
1984 to 2023 indicates notable changes in glacial lakes.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences, through its autonomous institute, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean
Research (NCPOR), has been monitoring six glaciers in the Chandra basin (2437 km2) in the western
Himalaya since 2013 using satellite remote sensing and field techniques. Further, several Indian
institutes/universities/organizations funded by the Government of India through MoES, Department of
Science & Technology (DST), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC),
Department of Space (DoS)-ISRO, Ministry of Mines (MoM), and Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) monitor
Himalayan glaciers for various scientific studies including glacier melting and have reported accelerated
heterogeneous mass loss in Himalayan glaciers.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry, provides a range of scientific, technical,
and advisory support to States and other agencies for disaster preparedness. This support includes the
following key areas:
IMD provides river sub-basin-wise Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (QPFs) that are issued twice
daily and are valid for the next seven days to the CWC.
IMD provides high-resolution forecasts of rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind, and extreme
weather events, which are essential for watershed planning and water resource management.
Agrometeorological advisory services (AAS) are provided under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa
(GKMS), helping farmers and watershed planners adapt operations to changing climate conditions.
IMD issues alerts on cyclones, heavy rainfall, lightning, and droughts, enabling State disaster
management authorities (SDMAs) to take timely action.
IMD publishes district-level climate hazard and vulnerability atlases (e.g., for heatwaves, droughts,
and cyclones) that States use for planning resilient watershed development and prioritising risk
mitigation.
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences and
Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha on 1st April 2026.
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