The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the central government regarding the expansion of Himalayan glacial lakes. These lakes have grown by approximately 10.81% in 13 years due to rising temperatures, raising environmental and safety concerns.
Glacial Lakes
- Water bodies formed from glacier melt; typically located at the glacier’s base or within its body.
- Formation: Created by glacial erosion and meltwater filling depressions; can have unstable natural ice or moraine dams prone to bursting.
- Expansion:
- Surface area in India has grown by 33.7% from 2011 to 2024.
- 67 high-risk lakes identified for GLOFs, threatening areas like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
- Causes:
- Global warming: Faster glacier melting and retreat.
- Permafrost thawing: Forms new depressions, aiding expansion.
GLOF
- Definition: A glacial lake outburst flood occurs when a lake’s dam fails, often triggered by rapid melting or heavy rain.
- Triggers: Glacier volume changes, water level fluctuations, and earthquakes.
- Indian Cases:
- 2013: Uttarakhand flooding due to Chorabari glacier melting.
- 2014: Outburst flood in Gya, Ladakh.
- 2023: South Lhonak Lake rupture in Sikkim following heavy rainfall.
Concerns associated with Rapid Glacial Lake Expansion
- Downstream Impact: Displacement, loss of life, damaged property, and affected agriculture due to floods.
- Lack of Early Warning: 67 high-risk lakes are not effectively monitored.
- Feedback Loop: Glacial retreat accelerates with global warming, worsening risks.
- Infrastructure Vulnerability: Roads, bridges, and hydropower plants are at high risk.
- Ecosystem Disruption: Habitat loss, altered sedimentation, and biodiversity impact.
- Secondary Disasters:
- Landslides due to destabilized slopes.
- Debris flows from exposed materials.
- Increased bank erosion.
- Climate Change Link: Himalayan glacier melt impacts rivers and water resources critical to over a billion people.
Risk Mitigation Strategies
- Enhanced Monitoring: Satellite imagery, ground-based assessments, and Synthetic-Aperture Radar for tracking changes.
- Early Warning Systems: Integrating meteorological and hydrological data to predict and mitigate risks.
- Transboundary Cooperation: Collaborative frameworks for sharing resources and practices among countries.
- Funding: Mobilizing resources for resilient infrastructure and sustainable practices (e.g., Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure).
- Local Manpower Training: Empowering communities with disaster management skills alongside specialized forces like the NDRF.
The expansion of Himalayan glacial lakes reflects the pressing reality of climate change and its impacts on both ecosystems and human safety. Effective monitoring, international cooperation, and investment in resilience are crucial to mitigating the risks posed by this growing challenge.
