Source: Economic Times
Context: A central team, as part of the GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) Early Warning Systems Mission, visited Tenchungkha Lake in Sikkim, marking the first of 16 planned assessments in the region.
- The NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority) has identified 188 critical lakes across the Indian Himalayan Region, vulnerable to GLOF events, and is working with state governments and experts, including ISRO scientists, to implement early warning systems and risk mitigation strategies.
Glacial lakes are large bodies of water formed by meltwater from glaciers, located in front of, on top of, or beneath melting glaciers.
They develop near the glacier’s snout as meltwater accumulates.
Hazard: As these lakes grow, they are often dammed by unstable ice or loose sediment, making them dangerous.
GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood): This occurs when the dam or boundary around a glacial lake fails, causing a sudden release of water that can flood downstream areas.
Triggers: GLOFs can be caused by earthquakes, heavy rains, or ice avalanches.
