The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi successfully concluded the inaugural International Conference on Climate and Disaster Resilient Himalayas (ICCDRH 2026) at its Kamand campus on June 24, 2026. The three-day international dialogue, which began on June 22, brought together leading scientists, engineers, policymakers, and disaster management practitioners from India and abroad to discuss strategies for enhancing resilience in the Himalayan region, one of the world’s most climate-sensitive and disaster-prone areas.
Conference Focus and Key Themes
Organised by the Centre for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction (C3DAR), the conference focused on the escalating impacts of climate change and natural hazards across the Himalayas. Experts highlighted increasing threats from floods, cloudbursts, glacial lake outburst floods, landslides, and earthquakes, all of which continue to endanger mountain communities, ecosystems, and critical infrastructure. Technical sessions explored a wide range of themes, including multi-hazard risk assessment, climate projections, hydrological and glacial extremes, earthquake resilience, disaster-resistant infrastructure, and the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in early warning systems and hazard prediction.
Distinguished Experts and Presentations
A distinguished line-up of national and international experts addressed the gathering. Plenary lectures were delivered by Prof J David Frost of the Georgia Institute of Technology and Prof Safeeq Khan of the University of California, Merced. Keynote speakers and researchers also represented leading institutions, including Imperial College London, Michigan State University, several Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), CSIR–National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI), and various central government agencies. Participants emphasised the importance of community-based approaches to disaster preparedness and resilience planning.
Pre-Conference Workshop and Recommendations
Ahead of the main conference, a pre-conference workshop on disaster-resilient critical infrastructure was organised on June 22 with support from the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), laying the foundation for detailed discussions during the event. The conference concluded with a series of recommendations aimed at strengthening climate and disaster resilience across the Indian Himalayan Region. These recommendations are expected to guide future policy and research initiatives in the region.
