Glacial Lake Outburst Floods

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11-Feb-2023: Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) threatens the future of millions of people worldwide

Key highlights and facts from a recent study on Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs):

Global Risk of GLOF

  • Up to 15 million people are at risk.
  • Greatest threat is estimated in mountainous regions of Asia and South America.
  • 9.3 million (62%) people are exposed in High Mountain Asia (HMA).
  • 1 million people live within the 10 kms of a glacial lake in Asia.
  • India, Pakistan, Peru, and China account for over half of those at risk globally.

Most Dangerous Basins

  • Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa basin), Peru (Santa basin), and Bolivia (Beni basin). 1.2 million, 0.9 million, and 0.1 million people are respectively at risk.

Rapid Glacial Melt

  • Glaciers across the Andes have undergone rapid deglaciation in the last 20 years.
  • 25 glacial lakes in the Himalayas have seen an increase in water spread area since 2009.
  • 40% increase in water spread in India, China, and Nepal.

Impact and Threat

  • GLOFs can catastrophically threaten lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
  • Floods can destroy vital infrastructure.
  • Populations within 10-15 km of the source lake may not have sufficient time to evacuate.

Suggestions for Action

  • Urgent need for improved Early Warning Systems.
  • Evacuation drills and community outreach needed for rapid warnings and emergency action in highly exposed areas.

What is Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)?

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are a natural disaster that occurs when water from a glacier or a glacial lake is suddenly released, causing a rapid and massive flood downstream. These floods can be devastating, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, loss of life, and economic loss.

In recent years, the frequency and intensity of GLOFs have increased due to climate change, with the rising temperature leading to the melting of glaciers and the formation of new glacial lakes. As a result, understanding the risks and impact of GLOFs has become more critical than ever.

What causes GLOFs?

GLOFs can occur due to a variety of reasons, including a surge of water from a glacier, melting of ice due to rising temperatures, and a breach in the glacial lake's natural dam. In many cases, GLOFs are caused by a combination of these factors.

The rapid melting of glaciers due to climate change is the most significant contributor to the increase in GLOFs. As glaciers melt, they release vast amounts of water into rivers and lakes, increasing the water level and leading to the formation of new glacial lakes. These lakes are often held back by natural dams made of ice or rock.

However, as the temperature continues to rise, the ice dam becomes weaker, leading to sudden bursts of water, which can cause catastrophic floods.

The impact of GLOFs

GLOFs can have a devastating impact on the environment, infrastructure, and the lives of people living in the affected areas. These floods can cause massive erosion, landslides, and destruction of habitats.

The economic impact of GLOFs can also be severe, with damage to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings. The loss of property and crops can lead to economic hardship for the local community, who may rely on agriculture or tourism for their livelihood.

How to mitigate the risk of GLOFs?

To mitigate the risk of GLOFs, it is essential to monitor the glacial lakes regularly and implement measures to prevent their sudden release. This includes the construction of artificial dams, drainage channels, and spillways to control the flow of water and prevent flooding.

The scientific community already plays a vital role in predicting and preventing GLOFs by monitoring the temperature of glaciers and the water levels of glacial lakes, using satellite images and ground-based sensors.

Pin It
Whatsapp

11-Feb-2023: Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) threatens the future of millions of people worldwide

Key highlights and facts from a recent study on Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs):

Global Risk of GLOF

  • Up to 15 million people are at risk.
  • Greatest threat is estimated in mountainous regions of Asia and South America.
  • 9.3 million (62%) people are exposed in High Mountain Asia (HMA).
  • 1 million people live within the 10 kms of a glacial lake in Asia.
  • India, Pakistan, Peru, and China account for over half of those at risk globally.

Most Dangerous Basins

  • Pakistan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa basin), Peru (Santa basin), and Bolivia (Beni basin). 1.2 million, 0.9 million, and 0.1 million people are respectively at risk.

Rapid Glacial Melt

  • Glaciers across the Andes have undergone rapid deglaciation in the last 20 years.
  • 25 glacial lakes in the Himalayas have seen an increase in water spread area since 2009.
  • 40% increase in water spread in India, China, and Nepal.

Impact and Threat

  • GLOFs can catastrophically threaten lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
  • Floods can destroy vital infrastructure.
  • Populations within 10-15 km of the source lake may not have sufficient time to evacuate.

Suggestions for Action

  • Urgent need for improved Early Warning Systems.
  • Evacuation drills and community outreach needed for rapid warnings and emergency action in highly exposed areas.

What is Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)?

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are a natural disaster that occurs when water from a glacier or a glacial lake is suddenly released, causing a rapid and massive flood downstream. These floods can be devastating, causing widespread damage to infrastructure, loss of life, and economic loss.

In recent years, the frequency and intensity of GLOFs have increased due to climate change, with the rising temperature leading to the melting of glaciers and the formation of new glacial lakes. As a result, understanding the risks and impact of GLOFs has become more critical than ever.

What causes GLOFs?

GLOFs can occur due to a variety of reasons, including a surge of water from a glacier, melting of ice due to rising temperatures, and a breach in the glacial lake's natural dam. In many cases, GLOFs are caused by a combination of these factors.

The rapid melting of glaciers due to climate change is the most significant contributor to the increase in GLOFs. As glaciers melt, they release vast amounts of water into rivers and lakes, increasing the water level and leading to the formation of new glacial lakes. These lakes are often held back by natural dams made of ice or rock.

However, as the temperature continues to rise, the ice dam becomes weaker, leading to sudden bursts of water, which can cause catastrophic floods.

The impact of GLOFs

GLOFs can have a devastating impact on the environment, infrastructure, and the lives of people living in the affected areas. These floods can cause massive erosion, landslides, and destruction of habitats.

The economic impact of GLOFs can also be severe, with damage to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings. The loss of property and crops can lead to economic hardship for the local community, who may rely on agriculture or tourism for their livelihood.

How to mitigate the risk of GLOFs?

To mitigate the risk of GLOFs, it is essential to monitor the glacial lakes regularly and implement measures to prevent their sudden release. This includes the construction of artificial dams, drainage channels, and spillways to control the flow of water and prevent flooding.

The scientific community already plays a vital role in predicting and preventing GLOFs by monitoring the temperature of glaciers and the water levels of glacial lakes, using satellite images and ground-based sensors.

2021

23-Mar-2021: Glacial Burst

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has prepared the revised National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP)- 2019 which addresses Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) issues in detail.  NDMA has also issued guidelines on Management of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in October, 2020.  The guidelines, inter-alia, contain roles and responsibilities, including actions to be taken by various stakeholders,  which include agencies of Central and State Governments, for disaster risk management for GLOF.  State Government of Uttarakhand has informed that Early Warning Systems, Automatic Weather Station are installed at various locations to protect the susceptible areas.

NDMA has constituted a joint study team of experts from different Institutes and organizations of Central and State Governments to understand the causes of the flash floods in River Rishiganga and Dhauliganga and to suggest Mitigation/Preparedness measures to prevent such future events.  Government of Uttarakhand has also constituted a Committee to review the Glacial Natural Lakes and its effects.  As per information received from the State Government of Uttarakhand, 74 dead bodies have been recovered so far and 130 persons are still reported missing.  State Government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 4 lakh each for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the incident.