Himachal Pradesh
March 23, 2026
In a significant step toward mitigating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) disaster risk, C-DAC in collaboration with NDMA, Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authorities, and local administration, has successfully deployed and operationalized a Proof of Concept (PoC) of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Early Warning System (GLOF-EWS) in high-altitude-lakein Sissu, Himachal Pradesh.
The system integrates a buoy-based lake monitoring station, Automatic Weather Station, and Glacier Vision Unit, all enabled through S-band and INSAT satellite communication for reliable, real-time data transmission from remote Himalayan regions.
GLOF events, driven by climate change and accelerated glacier retreat, present a serious threat due to the formation of unstable moraine-dammed lakes. These events are highly unpredictable and can trigger sudden, high-magnitude floods, with risks amplified by challenging terrain, harsh weather, and limited communication infrastructure.
Designed for autonomous operation in extreme environments, the system leverages embedded systems, geospatial intelligence, satellite communication, and AI-based analytics to continuously monitor water levels, weather conditions, and lake dynamics.
The system has been developed with key contributions from the Cognitive Industrial Automation Group (CIAG) and Strategic Electronics Group (SEG) of C-DAC Thiruvananthapuram, along with the HPC, Earth Sciences Engineering and Geospatial Application Group of C-DAC Pune.
The installation at Sissu was carried out under adverse weather conditions, including severe snowfall and extreme cold, showcasing the exceptional resilience and dedication of the field team involved in executing the deployment in such extreme environments.
The PoC is currently installed and fully operational at Sissu Lake, undergoing a one-month calibration and performance evaluation phase to validate system performance and reliability prior to final deployment.
Shri Manish Bhardwaj, IAS, Secretary NDMA, Shri Safi Ahsan Rizvi,IPS ,and Shri Kamal Kishore, Special representative of the United Nations Secretary General, congratulated C-DAC for delivering this landmark feat of innovation.
This initiative highlights the role of indigenous, multidisciplinary engineering solutions in advancing climate resilience and disaster preparedness
