Second Indo-Swiss workshop on “Modelling Rock Ice avalanches, Rockfalls and Debris Flows: Hands on training” was organised at CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee during November 20-22, 2024 as a joint activity of CSIR-CBRI Roorkee, WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Switzerland and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) under the on-going Indo-Swiss Collaborative Project, Strengthening Climate Change Adaptation in Himalayas (SCA-Himalayas). 33 working professionals and research scholars from 21 different organisations/institutions across the country participated in this workshop.
The participants were provided with the 4 modules of RAMMS software (Debris flows, Avalanches, Rockfall and Rock Ice Avalanche) with examples and data for exercise. This is the first of its kind hands on training cum capacity development programme in the country on modelling the emerging mass movement process in India.
This Indo-Swiss Workshop was inaugurated by Dr. Harpal Singh, Chief Scientist CSIR-CBRI, Dr. Debi Prasanna Kanungo, Convenor of this workshop and Swiss dignitaries namely Dr. Yves Buhler, & Dr. Tanushree Verma, and Shree Nadeem Ahmad, Chief Scientist & Skill Nodal, CSIR-ISI. The event was co-coordinated by Dr. Rajesh Kumar Dash. During the inaugural session, several CSIR-CBRI Scientists, experts from WSL SLF (Dr. Andrea Maconi, Dr. Jessica Munch & Joel Borner) & eminent field experts from various institutes/organizations across the nation including Mr. Bhupendra Bhaisore from SCA-Himalayas (Uttarakhand) were also present. In addition, participants have also witnessed the R&D facilities & demonstration on experimental debris flow facility at CSIR-CBRI. Director CSIR-CBRI, Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar was the Patron of this Indo Swiss workshop and and Chaired the Valedictory session.
