Uttarakhand Assesses GLOF Risks in Himalayas

The state government of Uttarakhand recently set up two expert panels to conduct risk-assessment and monitor five glacial lakes that have been facing risk of immediate danger. Glacial Lake Outburst Floods or GLOFs have been threatening them leading the government to label them as High-Risk Prone areas. The government is undertaking measures to mitigate potential hazards that might occur as a consequence of the threat connected with these lake bodies.

Understanding GLOFs

Many lakes are fed by glacier waters regularly. In some lakes, this lake water sees a sudden rise due to melting of the glaciers formed at the sides, in front of the lake bed, within the water body or beneath the surface of the lake region. This phenomena is known as Lake Outburst flood primarily formed by glacial activity.

Early Warning Systems for GLOFs

Latest Radio Technologies have enhanced warning systems to assess GLOFs through ‘extended line of sight’ (ELOS) methodology. Ground Wave signals associated with ELOS transmit warning signals from one remote station to another in valleys such as Uttarakhand to avert any disaster. If a GLOF were to occur at any instant, these early warning signs help tackle the situation effectively.

Uttarakhand has been witness to 2 major occurrences of GLOFs in the recent years. Kedarnath valley in 2013 the recent Chamoli incident have undergone susceptible damages owing to climate change in the region. The government has formed committees in the region to track human activities and disruptions caused by climate changes in the valleys. Scientists are researching on drastic weather changes in the mountainous regions and lowland environments and their subsequent effect on causing GLOFs.

Category: Environment Current Affairs