GUWAHATI: A recent report from the Central Water Commission (CWC) reveals a troubling trend in the Himalayan region, where glacial lakes and water bodies have expanded by 10.81% from 2011 to 2024 due to climate change. This expansion raises serious concerns about the increased risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which can lead to catastrophic flooding downstream.
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The report highlights that Indian glacial lakes have witnessed an even more striking increase, with their surface area expanding by 33.7% during the same period. The total area of these lakes in India has risen from 1,962 hectares in 2011 to 2,623 hectares in 2024. Among these, 67 lakes have seen their surface areas increase by over 40%, categorising them as high-risk for GLOFs.
Regional variations in lake expansion have been particularly notable in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Across the entire Himalayan region, glacial lakes have grown from 533,401 hectares in 2011 to 591,108 hectares in 2024, reflecting the alarming effects of rising temperatures on the environment.
The report attributes the rapid expansion of these lakes to the accelerated melting of glaciers, which poses significant threats to downstream communities, infrastructure, and biodiversity. The shrinking of mountain glaciers, along with the growth of glacial lakes, serves as a stark indicator of climate change in the Himalayan ecosystem.
GLOFs occur when glacial lakes breach their natural moraine dams, resulting in sudden and often devastating floods. The report stresses the urgent need for robust monitoring and risk management strategies to mitigate the impacts of such floods. Glacial lakes form when a glacier retreats, leaving behind a depression filled with meltwater. As glaciers continue to recede, these lakes grow larger and potentially more dangerous, often dammed by unstable ice or sediment composed of loose rock and debris.
The risks associated with GLOFs can be exacerbated by various factors, including glacial calving, where large chunks of ice break off from the glacier into the lake, causing sudden water displacement. Additionally, avalanches or landslides can compromise the stability of the surrounding area, triggering a rapid discharge of water.
