The three-day meeting brought together senior officials, experts, and policymakers from 11 BRICS member and partner nations, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia. Discussions focused on disaster preparedness, resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, rapid response mechanisms, and sustainable disaster management strategies.
Representing Uttarakhand, State Disaster Response Force Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi and Uttarakhand Landslide Mitigation and Management Centre Director Shantanu Sarkar presented the state's disaster preparedness framework, technological interventions, rescue training systems, and emergency response capabilities.
During the meeting, the officials highlighted two major disaster response operations conducted in Uttarakhand—the Silkyara Tunnel rescue operation and the Dharali disaster response. The Silkyara operation involved the successful rescue of 41 workers trapped inside a collapsed tunnel for more than two weeks in 2023. The Dharali response demonstrated the state's ability to manage emergencies in remote and challenging mountainous terrain. Delegates from participating countries highly praised both operations.
The Uttarakhand delegation also outlined the unique disaster-related challenges faced by the Himalayan state, including landslides, extreme rainfall, glacial lake outburst flood threats, road blockages, and risks associated with pilgrimage routes. Officials explained how these challenges require continuous preparedness and specialized response mechanisms.
Arpan Yaduvanshi stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand has been consistently strengthening disaster risk reduction measures, preparedness, capacity building, inter-agency coordination, and emergency response systems. He said scientific planning, efficient administration, and timely decision-making are being prioritized to minimize the impact of disasters across the state.
Delegates were also briefed on several disaster management initiatives being implemented in Uttarakhand under the guidance of Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman. These initiatives focus on enhancing resilience, improving coordination, and expanding preparedness across vulnerable regions.
Shantanu Sarkar emphasized the growing role of advanced technologies in disaster management. He noted that geospatial technology, remote sensing, data analytics, and early warning systems are enabling authorities to identify risks more accurately and respond more effectively during emergencies.
Officials at the meeting said the exchange of experiences and best practices among participating countries would strengthen disaster response systems and improve preparedness at both national and regional levels.
The recognition received by Uttarakhand's disaster management model is being viewed as a significant achievement for the state. The appreciation from BRICS member and partner countries reflects international acknowledgment of the sustained efforts undertaken by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, the State Disaster Response Force, and associated agencies in building a resilient and effective disaster management framework.
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