Key Points
- Glacial lakes in India have grown by 11% since 2011, raising the risk of GLOFs.
- China’s glacial lakes are expanding even faster, creating cross-border risks.
- The Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors over 2,000 glacial lakes, with 902 high-risk lakes under close watch.
- GLOFs have caused more than 7,000 deaths in the region since 1833.
- The Indian government is setting up an early warning system for high-risk lakes.
Looma News
India is facing an increasing threat from growing glacial lakes, especially in the Himalayan region. A recent report from the Central Water Commission (CWC) shows these lakes have expanded by 11% since 2011, mainly due to climate change and glacial melting. The report warns of a rising risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), which can cause severe flooding in downstream areas.
This issue isn’t just in India. Glacial lakes in China are growing at an even faster rate, with some expanding by over 40%. These large and fast-growing lakes in China create risks for both countries, with the possibility of GLOFs affecting infrastructure and lives across borders.
The CWC, which started tracking glacial lakes in 2009, currently monitors over 2,000 lakes in the region using satellite technology. Their latest report from September 2024 shows that 544 lakes and 358 water bodies have grown by 10.81% in the last decade. In India, 67 lakes have significantly expanded, further increasing the danger of GLOFs.
Recent data from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reveals that the number of GLOFs has increased in recent years. Over 70% of recorded GLOFs have happened since 1973, with the highest number occurring in 1980 (15 events) and 2015 (13 events). ICIMOD reports that more than half of these events are caused by mass movements like avalanches and landslides, while around 18% are triggered by extreme rainfall.
In response to the growing threat, the Indian government is working on setting up an early warning system (EWS) for 188 high-risk lakes in the Indian Himalayas. This comes after the devastating GLOF in Sikkim on October 3, 2023, which claimed more than 40 lives. The GLOF Early Warning System (EWS) Mission is part of a broader plan to reduce the risk of such disasters and protect people and infrastructure in the region.
