Uttarakhand glacier outbursts: Scientists warn of lakes formed after glacier melting

YP Sundariyal, a Geologist from Hemwanti Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, is studying the floods and avalanches in Rishi Ganga in Chamoli district which is directly related to the formation of the debris. According to scientists, new problems have also arisen due to the melting of glaciers as new lakes are formed after the melting

Dehradun (Uttarakhand):As Uttarakhand is battling the incidents of the glacier outbursts, scientists have warned of the formation of lakes in the glaciers. Due to global warming, the number of small glaciers in the high Himalayan region is decreasing and the debris from landslides accumulate in the valleys and steep slopes. The debris can bring great destruction if there is excessive rainfall.

YP Sundariyal, a Geologist from Hemwanti Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, is studying the floods and avalanches in Rishi Ganga in Chamoli district, which is directly related to the formation of the debris.

According to their study, due to the various projects in these valleys, there is an increase in the temperature on the higher hills and a study should be carried out before the start of the projects. He also said that hydropower projects that increase the risk in these areas should not be constructed.

On February 7 this year, there was a flood in Chamoli district due to the rupture of the Rishi Ganga iceberg.

After this, on 23 April, there was an avalanche in Sumana. There was heavy destruction in both incidents. Scientists found that the debris of the glacier came down with water and ice at both places.

According to Sundariyal, the development activities in these areas should be carried out after studying global warming and only those activities should be done which are vital for human sustenance.

About 1200 glacier lakes in Uttarakhand

According to scientists, new problems have also arisen due to the melting of glaciers as new lakes are formed after the melting. Not only this, there are about 1200 glacier lakes in Uttarakhand, out of which not a single lake is dangerous. Despite this, the danger the chances of glacial lake outbursts are high.

A glacial lake outburst causes damage depending upon the type of infrastructure around it.

He also said that monitoring glaciers and lakes is very important. Because in the last 10 years three major incidents have taken place in the state.

The first incident took place in Kedarnath in 2013, the second disaster took place in Gangotri in the year 2017 and in 2021, there was a flood due to the breakdown of a glacier in Raini village.

About 10,000 glaciers in the Himalayas

There are about 10,000 glaciers in the Himalayas, out of which there are about a thousand glaciers in the Uttarakhand region. In such a situation, there is no need to monitor all glaciers, but there is a need to monitor such glaciers under which people are living or some big project is going on.