PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SPACE TECHNOLOGY FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN LADAKH

The Department of Space (DoS) reports that the Government of India is employing satellite and geospatial technologies for disaster management in Ladakh. A glacier inventory covering >2,000 glaciers (2020‑23 data) and change mapping for >1,000 glaciers over two decades has been created. An inventory of 3,219 glacial lakes (>0.25 ha) and GLOF risk modelling for high‑risk lakes such as Katkar and Suru have been completed. Daily snow‑cover maps have been generated from 2019 to September 2025. Wetlands (4,912) and waterbodies (≈41 >5 ha) are monitored via the Bhuvan Waterbody Information System. ISRO projects include the Cryosphere Science and Applications Programme, LAMA, SILAAS (since 2023), the National Hydrology Project (2017‑2025), and the Geo‑Ladakh geo‑portal. Advanced R&D aims to strengthen early‑warning systems for GLOF, extreme weather, and landslides, and space‑based information is provided during disaster response. Capacity‑building trainings have also been conducted for Ladakh participants.