Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has identified 189 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in the Indian Himalayas, raising concerns over the growing threat posed by these lakes due to rising global temperatures. These glacial lakes, which have expanded significantly, are at risk of causing devastating floods, known as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF).
Out of nearly 7,500 glacial lakes in the Indian Himalayas, the NDMA has pinpointed these 189 as particularly hazardous. The rapid melting of ice in these lakes, driven by global warming, increases the likelihood of flooding events similar to the catastrophic Kedarnath disaster in 2013 and the Chamoli floods in 2021.
In October last year, the South Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim breached, resulting in a GLOF that severely damaged the Teesta III dam, Sikkim’s largest hydropower project, and wreaked havoc on downstream areas.
Recognizing the imminent dangers, the NDMA, in collaboration with various central and state agencies, has already completed expeditions to 15 of these high-risk lakes. These include six in Sikkim, six in Ladakh, one in Himachal Pradesh, and two in Jammu and Kashmir. Seven more expeditions are currently in progress.
Given the challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions at altitudes above 4,500 meters, the expeditions are limited to a narrow window between June and September. Multiple visits will be required to implement lake-lowering measures, which may involve significant civil engineering efforts.
One such expedition is underway in Arunachal Pradesh, where teams are assessing threats from six high-risk glacial lakes. These expeditions focus on evaluating the structural stability of the lakes, identifying potential breach points, collecting hydrological and geological data, and raising awareness among downstream communities.
To combat the growing risks, the NDMA has recommended the immediate implementation of mitigation measures. These include installing early warning systems, automatic weather stations, and other protective measures. The National Glacial Outburst Flood Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP), approved by the government on July 25, allocates Rs 150 crore to support state governments in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
A similar program is planned for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The initiative aims to conduct detailed hazard assessments, install automated weather and water level monitoring stations, and establish early warning systems in vulnerable areas.
Uttarakhand is also evaluating the risk posed by GLOFs, as 13 of the most vulnerable glacial lakes in India are located in this state. The combined efforts are part of a larger strategy to protect communities and infrastructure from the looming threat of glacial lake floods in the Himalayas.
