DEHRADUN, Aug. 27 -- Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to install state-of-the-art sensors and early warning systems across vulnerable Himalayan glacial lakes to prevent flash floods and protect downstream communities, officials said on Thursday.

Vinod Kumar Suman, secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, said the state has identified 13 glacial lakes as sensitive. "Surveys of four lakes have already been completed, while scientific assessments of the remaining lakes will be conducted in phases," he said.

Suman said an expert team will soon survey Saraswati Tal in Chamoli district and Kedartal in Uttarkashi district. "The surveys will assess the present condition of the lakes, water levels, ...