The Union Power Ministry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for implementation of early warning system for vulnerable hydro projects/power stations.
The MoU was signed by Alok Kumar, secretary, Power Ministry and Dr Samir V Kamat, secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) and chairman, DRDO on Tuesday.
“Ministry of Power has signed an MoU with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence on 27th December, 2022 for “Implementation of Early Warning System for Vulnerable Hydro Projects/Power Stations,” the Power Ministry tweeted along with the picture of the signing of MoU.
The Power Ministry and DRDO will jointly work towards developing suitable mitigation measures against avalanches, landslides, glaciers, glacial lakes and other geo-hazards, the ministry said in a release.
The ministry said that the expertise of DRDO will also be utilized in developing comprehensive Early Warning System for vulnerable hydro projects/ power stations in hilly regions. Separate and specific tasks will be formulated between DRDO & respective project developer(s) in agreement with broad understanding developed through this MoU.
Under the visionary leadership of Union Minister of Power & NRE, RK Singh, the Power Ministry has taken the initiative of implementing Early Warning System (EWS) in the Hydro Power Projects especially those located in upper reaches of hilly regions, the ministry added.
The Power Ministry has already signed MoUs with CSIR-NGRI, IMD, WIHG and NRSC-ISRO for implementation of EWS.
What is EWS - Early Warning System?
The Early Warning System or EWS is an integrated system of hazard monitoring, forecasting and prediction, disaster risk assessment, communication and preparedness for timely action to reduce disaster risks in advance of hazardous events.
