MIL Asia Pacific Publishing Engine

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

The new energy storage system adds power for renewable energy! In response to international energy transitions and net-zero emission trends, Taipower is actively developing diverse energy solutions. To strengthen grid resilience, Taipower previously implemented a 20-MW energy storage system at the Tainan Salt Fields Solar Farm and the Kaohsiung Luyuan Substation, as well as a 60-MW energy storage system at the Longtan Extra-High Voltage (EHV) Substation earlier this year. Now, Taipower has launched another heavyweight 60-MW energy storage system at the Dongshan site in Yilan. At the November 20 inauguration ceremony, Taipower representatives highlighted that energy storage systems, with their rapid charging and discharging capabilities, can support frequency regulation when integrating renewable energy into the grid. Moreover, they provide immediate stable power during unexpected power events to enhance the stability and flexibility of the power system.

On November 20, Taipower held the Sustainable Energy Storage, Stable Grid inauguration ceremony for the Dongshan Energy Storage System at the Dongshan EHV Substation in Yilan. The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Taipower Vice President Hsiao Sheng-Jen, Tatung Group President Brian Shen, and Tatung Forever Energy President Huang Yun-Wei, who jointly witnessed the milestone.
This project was the result of a collaboration between Taipower and Tatung Forever Energy, a pioneering enterprise in domestic energy storage applications. Leveraging Tatung Group’s expertise and resources in the power and energy sector, the two companies established 23 energy storage containers at the Dongshan EHV Substation, covering an area of approximately 1,600 pings (about 5,300 square meters). The resulting 60-MW/85-MWh energy storage system has a storage capacity of 85,000 kWh, which is sufficient to meet the electricity needs of approximately 8,000 households for an entire day.

Due to their ability to transfer energy and respond rapidly, energy storage systems have become a powerful new tool for enhancing grid resilience. The Dongshan energy storage system utilizes Enhanced Dynamic Regulation (E-dReg) technology, which enables energy transfer. It stores abundant solar energy generated during the day and discharges it in the evening when sunlight diminishes rapidly, playing a vital role in stabilizing the power supply during nighttime peak demand. In the event of unexpected power incidents that cause a drop in grid frequency, the system can respond quickly, completing discharge within 0.4 seconds to maintain grid frequency stability. It also provides multiple functions, including stable power supply and voltage regulation.

Power systems have three key indicators: frequency, voltage, and inertia. Among these, inertia varies depending on the method and characteristics of power generation, and its importance has grown due to the current trend of renewable energy development. In traditional systems, inertia is primarily provided by the rotational motion of conventional generators’ steam or hydropower-driven rotors. Conversely, renewable energy systems convert sunlight and wind directly into electricity through inverters. Therefore, last year, Taipower collaborated with UK-based innovative energy technology company RTL on a real-time inertia measurement project for the power system. Measurement devices were installed at 10 locations nationwide. Furthermore, Taipower has introduced Function of Periodic Power Modulation (FPPM) technology at the Dongshan energy storage system, making it the only energy storage system in Taiwan capable of measuring system inertia. By inputting test signals into the grid and obtaining real-time feedback data, this system provides valuable insights for power dispatching and system stability management.

In terms of safety, the Dongshan Energy Storage System has obtained dual certifications: the international energy storage safety standard IEC 62933-5-2 and the international industrial control cybersecurity standard IEC 62443-3-3. Certificates were issued by an international third-party verification agency, ensuring strict compliance across various aspects, including energy storage installation, operation and maintenance, and information and communication security. Moreover, the Dongshan Energy Storage System incorporates a four-stage safety framework aimed at achieving zero risk and zero disaster. These measures include gas detection and ventilation, abnormal temperature alarms, an internal cabinet fire suppression system, and an external fire-fighting water mist system, ensuring comprehensive safety management.

A Taipower representative stated that the government’s 2025 goal of establishing 1,500 MW of energy storage includes 500 MW from private developers integrating energy storage with photovoltaic power, 160 MW of energy storage systems built by Taipower, and an additional 1,000 MW from private resources aggregated through the Energy Trading Platform. In recent years, Taipower has utilized its substations as development bases for energy storage. Projects such as the Luyuan and Longtan energy storage systems have been completed, and with the Dongshan energy storage system now online and integrated into the grid, Taipower has officially achieved a milestone in its self-built energy storage initiatives.

Spokesperson: Vice President Tsai Chih-Meng
Phone: (02) 2366-6271; 0958-749-333
E-mail: u910707@taipower.com.tw

Contact Person: Director of Transmission and Substation Engineering Department Chang Han-Hsi
Phone: (02) 2322-9700; 0965-598-258
E-mail: u906444@taipower.com.tw

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Public accident and emergency (A&E) departments will charge patients a fee of $400 per visit starting from January 1, 2026, as part of reforms to fees aimed at enhancing the financial sustainability of the city’s public healthcare system.

Currently, public A&E departments charge a flat rate of $180.

Under the fee revamp, patients in critical and emergency cases will be treated for free at public A&E departments.

At a press conference today, Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said the reform was intended to offer more help to the underprivileged and patients with critical or severe illnesses.

He stressed that the extra revenue will go back into public hospital services.

The authorities will also introduce a “co-payment model” to charge patients between $50 and $500 for complicated pathology and non-urgent imaging tests.

Moreover, they propose to cap charges at $10,000 a year for each patient, and to make it easier for those eligible to apply for a fee waiver.

At today’s press conference, Permanent Secretary for Health Thomas Chan elaborated on the various measures.

“I think the first one, on improving the waiver mechanism, we have relaxed the income and asset limits significantly for (patients) to qualify for medical waivers,” he said. “This is targeting the low-income families.

“We expect that low-income families would mostly be able to be covered by the medical waiver mechanism, since we have already raised the eligibility level to (100% of) median monthly domestic household income for families of two and more.

“And for families of one, actually we would be relaxing the income limit to 150% of the median monthly domestic household income. And also for the asset limit, we have significantly raised it to match the level for applying for public rental housing.

“We expect that the number of low-income families or people that potentially qualify to apply for medical waivers would increase from 300,000 to 1.4 million. This is already in addition to the 600,000 CSSA (Comprehensive Social Security Assistance) recipients and also the Old Age Living Allowance recipients aged 75 or above.

“In addition to the medical waivers, we introduced an annual spending cap.

“If the amount of (medical) fees that you need to pay exceeds $10,000 for the whole year, anything in excess of $10,000 will be waived. This is to provide another protection for all Hong Kong citizens who may or may not be eligible to apply for medical waivers.”

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 2:10PM by PIB Delhi

Information, Education & Communication (IEC) funds allocated and utilized at Centre level under SBM (G) from 2014-15 to 2022-23 are as under :-

		Rs. In lakh
Year	Allocated	Utilized
2014-15	9732.83	9732.55
2015-16	16050.00	16050.00
2016-17	23485.58	23485.57
2017-18	32016.18	32016.18
2018-19	12000.00	11404.23
2019-20	12873.00	3800.79
2020-21	3000.00	1613.65
2021-22	2055.00	1604.46
2022-23	4516.00	4485.10

Sanitation, being a State subject, component-wise funds are not released to the State/UTs. The States/UTs have the flexibility to allocate and utilize their funds for various components including IEC. However, as per SBM(G) Phase II guidelines, the States/UTs can utilize only upto 3% of the total Expenditure for IEC purposes. Accordingly, as reported by the States, the utilization of funds for IEC from 2014-15 to 2022-23 State-wise and Year-wise are at below.

Under SBM(G) Phase II guidelines, the Gram Panchayats are to actively involve in the planning and implementation of all software and hardware components of SBM(G) Phase II programme. The Gram Panchayats, along with ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, SHG members, NGOs etc. are considered for active involvement in the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities including in Triggering leading to demand generation and sustained use of the facilities, in Capacity building, assistance in construction and ensuring sustained use of sanitation facilities. Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) are constituted as a sub-committee of the GPs for preparation of Village Action Plan for mobilization, implementation, and supervision of the programme. However, the composition and function of the VWSC is to be determined by the State Government. Training are provided to the VWSC members, PRI members, and other field functionaries as per the plan prepared by at the State/District level.

Greywater management is done through soak pits, wherever possible, or through other technologies such as Waste Stabilization Ponds, Constructed Wetlands, Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS), etc, to ensure that untreated wastewater is not mixed with water bodies. States/UTs have been advised to make arrangement for Solid Waste Management i.e.-Bio-degradable and non-biodegradable system for Household and for all public Places (including the primary schools, Panchayat Ghar and Anganwadi canter). SWM system includes Collection, Transportation, Segregation, Storage, and management of SWM. Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), wherever needed, through co-treatment in existing Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)/Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) facilities in nearby urban/rural areas or trenching or setting up of FSM Plant as required. There is provision of Rs. 16 lakh per block for setting up of Plastic Waste Management Unit(PWMU) at block/district level.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

 (Rajya Sabha US Q2642)

(Release ID: 2114772) Visitor Counter : 167

Source: Government of India

Measures taken to reduce healthcare costs

Out-of-Pocket Expenditure as percentage of Total Health Expenditure has declined from 62.6% in 2014-15 to 39.4% in 2021-22

Government Health Expenditure as percentage of Total Health Expenditure has increased from 29.0% in 2014-15 to 48.0% in 2021-22

National Free Drugs Service initiative and Free diagnostic Service has been rolled out to ensure availability of essential drugs and diagnostic facilities

1.76 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established and operationalized which deliver expanded range of comprehensive primary healthcare services

AB-PMJAY aims to provide health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12.37 crore families constituting the economically vulnerable bottom 40% of India’s population

Quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana

Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 1:51PM by PIB Delhi

As per National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates, the Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) as percentage of Total Health Expenditure (THE) has been declining continuously, 62.6% (2014-15) to 39.4% (2021-22). The Government is making efforts to reduce the OOPE as % of THE. There has been significant increase in Government Health Expenditure (GHE) as percentage of THE, which was 29.0% in 2014-15 and 48.0% in 2021-22.

Further, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has rolled out and implemented various national schemes and programs to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to all, including those in rural areas. These key schemes/programs have contributed to reducing out-of-pocket expenditures in availing of health services, some are given as under: 

National Health Mission (NHM): Under the National Health Mission, the Government has taken many steps towards universal health coverage, by supporting the State Governments in providing accessible and affordable healthcare to people. The National Health Mission provides support for improvement in health infrastructure, availability of adequate human resources to man health facilities, to improve availability and accessibility to quality health care especially for the underserved and marginalized groups in rural areas. National Free Drugs Service initiative and Free diagnostic Service has been rolled out to ensure availability of essential drugs and diagnostic facilities and reduce out of pocket expenditure of the patients visiting public health facilities.

Ayushman Arogya Mandir: A total of 1.76 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) have been established and operationalized by transforming existing Sub-Health Centres (SHC) and Primary Health Centres (PHC) in rural and urban areas. The purpose of AAMs are to deliver the expanded range of comprehensive primary healthcare services that includes preventive, promotive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative services encompassing Reproductive and Child care services, Communicable diseases, Non-communicable diseases and all health issues, which are universal, free and closer to the community.       

Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) was launched as a mission to develop the capacities of primary, secondary and tertiary health care systems; strengthen existing national institutions and create new institutions to cater to detection and cure of new and emerging diseases. PM-ABHIM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with some Central Sector components. The total outlay of the scheme is Rs 64,180 crore.

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) aims to provide health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12.37 crore families constituting the economically vulnerable bottom 40% of India’s population. States/UTs implementing AB PM-JAY have further expanded the beneficiary base, at their own cost. Recently, the scheme has been expanded to cover 6 crore senior citizens of age 70 years and above belonging to 4.5 crore families irrespective of their socio-economic status under AB PM-JAY with Vay Vandana Card.

Besides, quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State Governments. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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HFW/ Measures taken to reduce healthcare costs/25 March 2025/2

(Release ID: 2114761) Visitor Counter : 247

Source: Government of India

Update on Ayushman Arogya Mandir

1,76,573 AAMs have been operationalized across the country till February 2025

107.10 crore screenings for hypertension and 94.56 crore screenings for diabetes have been conducted at AAMs

A total of 5.06 crore wellness sessions including Yoga have been conducted at AAMs

Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 1:50PM by PIB Delhi

As reported by States/UTs on the Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) portal, a total of 1,76,573 AAMs have been operationalised across the country till February, 2025. As per portal, 107.10 crore screenings for hypertension and 94.56 crore screenings for diabetes have been conducted at AAMs.

Wellness-related activities like Yoga, cycling, and meditation are conducted in AAMs. As on 28.02.2025, a total of 5.06 crore wellness sessions including Yoga have been conducted at AAMs.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

 

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HFW/ Update on Ayushman Arogya Mandir/25 March 2025/3

(Release ID: 2114759) Visitor Counter : 236

Source: Government of India

Steps taken on Mental Health

AB PM-JAY provides cashless healthcare services related to 1961 procedures across 27 medical specialties including 22 procedures under Mental Disorder Speciality

District Mental Health Programme component of the National Mental Health Programme has been sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission

Under the tertiary care component of NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities

47 Government run mental hospitals are functional in the country, including 3 Central Mental Health Institutions

36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells and have started tele mental health services. More than 19,67,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number

Government has also launched Tele MANAS Mobile Application on the occasion of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2024 to provide support for mental health issues ranging from well-being to mental disorders

Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 1:48PM by PIB Delhi

Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has issued Master Circular on Health Insurance Business dated 29.05.2024, vide which insurers are required to provide wider choice to policyholders by offering products catering to all types of existing medical conditions; pre-existing diseases and chronic conditions. Insurers are also mandated to make available products in compliance with the provisions of Mental Health Care Act, 2017. In line with the above provisions, products are available in the market providing coverage for mental illness as per the respective product designs of the insurers.

Under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the latest national master of the Health Benefit Package (HBP) provides cashless healthcare services related to 1961 procedures across 27 medical specialties including 22 procedures under Mental Disorder Speciality such as Intellectual Disability, Schizophrenia, schizotypal, delusional disorders, autism spectrum disorder etc, to eligible beneficiaries. Further, States have been provided flexibility to further customize the Health Benefit Packages to local context.

As per centrally available data at National health Authority (NHA), as on 21.03.2025, 77,634 hospital admission worth Rs 87 Crore have been authorized under the scheme.

For providing affordable and accessible mental healthcare facilities in the country, the Government is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in the country. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission.  Facilities made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc. In addition to above services there is a provision of 10 bedded in-patient facility at the district level.

The Government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at primary healthcare level. The Government has upgraded more than 1.75 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental, Neurological, and substance use disorders (MNS) have been added in the packages of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

Under the tertiary care component of NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities.  Further, the Government has also supported 19 Government medical colleges/institutions to strengthen 47 PG Departments in mental health specialties.

There are 47 Government run mental hospitals in the country, including 3 Central Mental Health Institutions, viz. National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. Mental Health Services are also provisioned in all AIIMS.

The Government is also augmenting the availability of manpower to deliver mental healthcare services in the underserved areas of the country by providing online training courses to various categories of general healthcare medical and para medical professionals through the Digital Academies, established since 2018, at the three Central Mental Health Institutes namely National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam, and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. The total number of professionals trained under Digital Academies are 42,488.

Besides the above, the Government has launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” on 10th October, 2022, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on 19.03.2025, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells and have started tele mental health services.  More than 19,67,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number.

The Government has also launched Tele MANAS Mobile Application on the occasion of World Mental Health Day – October 10, 2024. Tele-MANAS Mobile Application is a comprehensive mobile platform that has been developed to provide support for mental health issues ranging from well-being to mental disorders.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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HFW/ Steps taken on Mental Health/25 March 2025/1

(Release ID: 2114756) Visitor Counter : 216

Source: Government of India

Steps taken to expand healthcare professionals in rural areas

Hard area allowance is provided to specialist doctors for serving in rural and remote areas

Honorarium is provided to Gynecologists/ Emergency Obstetric Care trained, Pediatricians & Anesthetist/ Life Saving Anaesthesia Skills trained doctors to increase availability of specialists for conducting Cesarean Sections in rural & remote area

Non-Monetary incentives such as preferential admission in post graduate courses for staff serving in difficult areas and improving accommodation arrangement in rural areas have been introduced under NHM

Multi-skilling of doctors is supported under NHM to overcome the shortage of specialists

Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 1:45PM by PIB Delhi

Under the National Health Mission, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system including to take measures to improve healthcare infrastructure in rural areas to support and retain medical professionals based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission. Government of India provides financial approval for the proposal in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources. The details are available in public domain at: https://nhm.gov.in/index1.php

Under NHM, following types of incentives and honorarium are provided for encouraging healthcare professionals including females to practice in rural and remote areas of the country:

• Hard area allowance to specialist doctors for serving in rural and remote areas and for their residential quarters so that they find it attractive to serve in public health facilities in such areas.
• Honorarium to Gynecologists/ Emergency Obstetric Care (EmoC) trained, Pediatricians & Anesthetist/ Life Saving Anaesthesia Skills (LSAS) trained doctors is also provided to increase availability of specialists for conducting Cesarean Sections in rural & remote area.
• Incentives like special incentives for doctors, incentive for Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM) for ensuring timely Antenatal Checkup (ANC) checkup and recording, incentives for conducting Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health activities.
• States are also allowed to offer negotiable salary to attract specialist including flexibility in strategies such as “You Quote We Pay”.
• Non-Monetary incentives such as preferential admission in post graduate courses for staff serving in difficult areas and improving accommodation arrangement in rural areas have also been introduced under NHM.
• Multi-skilling of doctors is supported under NHM to overcome the shortage of specialists. Skill upgradation of existing HR is another major strategy under NRHM for achieving improvement in health outcomes.

In addition to the National Health Mission, Government of India has implemented the following to improve healthcare infrastructure in rural and urban areas of the country:

• Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) envisages increased investments in public health and other health reforms to provide better access to health in rural areas by i) Strengthening of Health and Wellness Centres in villages and cities for early detection of diseases; ii) Addition of new critical care-related beds at district level hospitals; iii) Support for Block Public Health Units (BPHU) in 11 high focus States; and iv) Integrated district public health laboratories in all districts.

• The Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC-XV) has recommended grants through local governments for specific components of the health sector and spread over the five-year period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26 to facilitate strengthening of health system at the grass-root level.

Further, as per the ‘Guidelines for Human Resources for Health, National Health Mission (NHM)’, States/ UTs should make sure that living quarters/lodging facilities are provided to the HRH, especially in rural and difficult areas, close to the health facilities. The State may also explore the option of providing crèche facilities for women working with the NHM in the Block/District/ State offices.

The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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HFW/ Steps taken to expand healthcare professionals in rural areas/25 March 2025/4

(Release ID: 2114753) Visitor Counter : 207

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 1:44PM by PIB Delhi

The Government is aware of the hazard of avalanches in the Himalayan regions, which poses significant risks to human lives and property. Avalanches are a recurring natural phenomenon/disaster in high-altitude areas such as Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh.

The Government effectively deploys technologies for improved early warning and forecasting of Avalanches in the hazardous zones. Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is a national level agency for avalanche forecasting and is involved in the daily Operational Avalanche Forecasting for Defence users. Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), Chandigarh under DRDO is also the nodal agency for studying and developing avalanche mitigation technologies. The methodologies include aerial reconnaissance/ ground surveys, which are further used as an input to prepare avalanche hazard maps. Regular operational avalanche warning is issued by DGRE to the Army and civilian population in the snow bound regions of north-west Himalayas.  Additionally, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) supplies six-hourly weather updates to enhance situational awareness.

Automated weather stations and Doppler radars have been installed in vulnerable regions to improve forecasting capabilities.

DGRE has installed 72 Snow Meteorological Observatories. Further, 45 Automated Weather Stations (AWS) are operational, 100 (AWS)  are under testing and 203 (AWS) are under installation. The data is regularly received from snow observatories at 3 hour intervals and at 1 hour interval from AWS at DGRE. This output and the expert opinion is used to draw avalanche forecast for different areas at least 24 hour in advance. DGRE has also developed its own Avalanche map indicating locations of potential avalanche sites located all over the Himalayas and is being used by Troops for their safe mobility in snow bound area. Engineering solutions are also being provided as per the user’s requirements. 

DGRE has developed following technologies for accurate avalanche predictions to safeguard lives in snow bound regions of Himalaya:

1. AI and ML (Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning) based avalanche forecast.
2. Increased Automatic Weather Station (AWS) network and surface observatories for snow bound areas.
3. Avalanche Engineering Control structures.
4. Avalanche Early Warning Radars.
5. Common Alert Protocol (CAP) compliant online APP for avalanche warning dissemination.
6. Forecast dissemination using satellite based communication for last mile.
7. Multi scale material properties simulation.
8. Process based 3D – Snowpack Modelling for stability of slope.
9. Light weight rigid structure for avalanche defence.
10. InSAR based landslide warning technology.

As informed by DGRE, in a first in India, Avalanche monitoring radar has been installed in North Sikkim. The system can detect avalanches within three seconds of trigger.

National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), under the Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) provides the high resolution weather forecasts from their global, regional and ensemble prediction systems to DGRE on daily basis. DGRE uses NCMRWF model output to drive their mountain weather model and Avalanche forecast model. In addition during the winter season, NCMRWF shares the coupled model’s snow forecasts with DGRE. These snow and total precipitation forecasts are very useful for possible Avalanche forecasting at DGRE’s end.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has released guidelines on Management of Landslides & Snow Avalanches in June 2009 to advise states on its response, preparedness and mitigation strategies. These guidelines have measures to reduce the impact of snow avalanches and early warning.

Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) based Integrated Alert System’ has been initiated with an outlay of Rs. 454.65 Crore, for dissemination of geo targeted early warnings/alerts related to disasters to the citizens of India for all 36 States/UTs using various disseminating medium like SMS, Costal Sirens, Cell broadcast, Internet (RSS feed & Browser Notification), Satellite Receiver of GAGAN & NavIC etc., through integration of all alerting agencies, [IMD, Central Water Commission (CWC), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), DGRE, Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Forest Survey of India (FSI)].

Besides early warning and preparedness, the Government deploy advanced technologies for rescue operations in avalanche-affected areas. These technologies such as Drone-Based Intelligent Buried Object Detection  System  and  timely  deployment  of  Helicopters  enable  rapid

response and efficient evacuation during emergencies. Similarly, the establishment of Disaster Management Control Rooms at the state and district levels ensures round-the-clock monitoring and coordination during rescue operations during Avalanche.

This was stated by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

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RK/VV/ASH/RR/PR/PS

(Release ID: 2114752) Visitor Counter : 269

Source: Government of India

Ministry of Home Affairs

PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN LWE-AFFECTED AREAS

Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 1:42PM by PIB Delhi

(Release ID: 2114751)