U’khand’s unmonitored glacial lakes under spotlight in view of Nepal floods
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 28 Aug: The devastating floods in Nepal have once again raised serious questions over the preparedness of Uttarakhand to deal with the growing threat posed by glacial lakes in the high Himalayas. While the State Government is now claiming to have stepped up surveillance and has identified 13 glacial lakes falling in the highly sensitive and sensitive categories, a major concern remains that the continuous monitoring system planned for these lakes has still not become operational despite Rs 30 crores having been sanctioned for the project.
The issue assumes significance in view of the rapidly changing Himalayan environment. Rising global temperatures are accelerating the melting and retreat of glaciers, causing several glacial lakes to expand. As happened in Nepal earlier this week, a sudden breach of such a lake can release millions of cubic metres of water downstream within a very short period, triggering a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) with potentially devastating consequences for settlements, roads, bridges, hydropower projects and other infrastructure located downstream.
Uttarakhand has hundreds of glacial lakes scattered across its high Himalayan region. A study has identified around 1,200 such lakes in the state, of which 426 have a surface area of more than 1,000 square metres. The 426 large lakes together cover an area of over 3.34 million square metres. Although it is neither practical nor necessary to continuously monitor every glacial lake, scientists have repeatedly stressed on the need for round-the-clock surveillance of those assessed as highly sensitive or vulnerable.
The state has had its own warning from nature. The devastating Kedarnath disaster of 2013 and subsequent extreme events in the Himalayan region have repeatedly brought the vulnerability of Uttarakhand’s high-altitude areas into focus. The possibility of GLOFs has since emerged as an additional concern for disaster management authorities, particularly as changes in glacier morphology and lake size are being observed in several parts of the Himalayas.
It may be recalled that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which undertook an assessment of glacial lakes in the Himalayan region in 2024, has identified 13 lakes in Uttarakhand as highly sensitive and sensitive. Of these 13, 5 were placed in Category A, 4 in Category B and 4 in Category C according to their vulnerability.
It may also be reminded here that following the NDMA assessment, the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Department had entrusted the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun, with the responsibility of undertaking scientific studies and developing a system for continuous monitoring of the sensitive lakes. The objective was to install instruments capable of recording changes in water levels and other parameters and provide early warnings in the event of an abnormal rise in the lake level or other indications of an impending hazard.
Four of the identified lakes have already undergone detailed bathymetric and glaciological studies between 2024 and 2026. These include Vasundhara Tal in Chamoli district and Mabhang Lake, Syuntinyankti Lake and Pyungru Lake in Pithoragarh district. Bathymetric studies provide information regarding the depth and water-holding capacity of a lake, while glaciological studies help assess the condition of the surrounding glaciers and the risks associated with their melting and retreat.
However, the next and crucial stage of installing continuous monitoring and early warning equipment has remained pending. This is despite the fact that the project has already received a substantial financial allocation. An amount of Rs 30 crores had been sanctioned for the project, with 90 percent of the amount was to be borne by the Centre and 10 percent by the state. An amount of around Rs 8 crores has already been received as the first instalment. Yet, according to the officials, monitoring equipment has not so far been installed at even one of the identified lakes.
The delay has been attributed largely to the formidable logistical and communication challenges involved in operating sophisticated equipment at extremely high altitudes and remote locations. The problem is not simply that of transporting instruments to the lakes. Reliable communication and power supply are equally critical if an early warning system is to function effectively.
As per the WIHG, the installation of monitoring equipment itself was not the major challenge, but establishing communication and power systems in the difficult Himalayan terrain remains a major challenge. However, as per the WIHG officials, the process of establishing the early warning system is, however, under way and improvements are expected in the coming months.
It may also be recalled that WIHG has also conducted its own assessment of glacial lakes in Uttarakhand. Its study found that, out of around 1,200 glacial lakes, 426 had an area of more than 1,000 square metres. Significantly, 25 of these were assessed to be highly sensitive or sensitive. The WIHG categorised six of these as extremely sensitive under Category A, six as sensitive under Category B and 13 as comparatively less sensitive under Category C.
The Government’s concern has naturally increased following the latest floods in Nepal. Extreme rainfall, rapid glacier melt, landslides and sudden changes in glacial lakes can have consequences far beyond the immediate location of the event. The experience of Uttarakhand has shown that communities and infrastructure located downstream can have very little time to react once a major Himalayan hazard is triggered.
The monitoring of glacial lakes is, however, among the most challenging tasks in Himalayan disaster management. Most of these lakes are located in extremely inaccessible terrain and at high altitudes, where the field season is restricted to a few months. Weather conditions can change rapidly and access routes can themselves become hazardous. Even after equipment is installed, it has to be capable of functioning for long periods without regular human intervention.
A multi-agency team has completed surveys of four lakes so far. Remote sensing, field surveys, modelling and technical analysis had also been undertaken to assess the condition of the lakes and the possible impact of any outburst on downstream areas.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has now directed the state machinery to intensify monitoring of sensitive glacial lakes. He has ordered regular scientific assessment of the lakes and directed that modern early warning systems be installed at vulnerable locations. Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman has been asked to ensure comprehensive surveys and scientific studies, including assessment of water levels, changes in the size of the lakes, the condition of surrounding terrain and the possible danger zones.
Suman said 13 glacial lakes in Uttarakhand had been identified as falling in the sensitive category and four had already been surveyed. The remaining lakes would be studied in a phased manner. Expert teams would soon be sent to Saraswati Tal in Chamoli district and Kedartal in Uttarkashi district for detailed assessment. The surveys would examine the present condition of the lakes, water levels, factors that could trigger a possible outburst and the likely impact on downstream areas.
District magistrates have also been directed to maintain regular surveillance of vulnerable areas and immediately report any unusual development to senior officials. Authorities have been asked to identify possible danger zones and safe evacuation routes and strengthen communication systems so that warnings can reach residents without delay.
