Panel for Himalayan authority, early-warning network to tackle rising disasters

New Delhi, Sep 18 (UNI) A coalition of 134 organisations working in the Himalayan region has called for a dedicated Himalayan authority at the Centre and a scientific early-warning network to deal with cloudbursts, landslides, floods and glacier-related hazards. The Himalay Unnati Mission (HUM) made the demand and said it will undertake a scientific study across India, Nepal, and Bhutan to strengthen disaster preparedness. The coalition said the study will bring together scientists, ecologists, disaster management experts and grassroots organisations to prepare hazard maps, improve monitoring systems and develop community-level preparedness plans. It said it will seek cooperation from the…