Daily News Analysis

Glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF)

stylish_lining

Glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF)

 

 

Why in the News?

Incessant rains have caused flash floods in north Sikkim after the South Lhonak Lake burst, which has killed 14 people so far and 102, including at least 23 Army personnel, are missing. 

The South Lhonak Lake outburst:

      1. It is a glacial lake situated in the state’s northwest at 17,000 ft.
      2. Heavy rains led to its burst leading to the release of water in downstream areas.
      3. This led to the rise of water levels in Teesta River with very high velocities near about 15m/sec, flooded at least four districts, including Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong and Namchi.
      4. Numerous studies have highlighted in the past that
        1. South Lhonak Lake is rapidly growing size due to glacier melting 
        2. It is susceptible to glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF)

How did South Lhonak Lake become susceptible to GLOF?

  1. Rising global temperatures have led to rapid melting of glaciers in Sikkim Himalayan, giving rise to many glacier lakes and expanding the already existing ones in the region. 
  2. As per Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, there are currently more than 300 glacial lakes in Sikkim Himalayan, of which 10 have been identified as vulnerable to outburst floods.
  3. Lhonak has grown nearly 1.5 times and South Lhonak nearly 2.5 times of their initial size in 1989.

What is GLOF?

  1. Glacial lakes are large bodies of water that sit in front of, on top of, or beneath a melting glacier.
  2. They can grow larger due to glacier melting, which can pose danger as glacial lakes are mostly dammed by unstable ice or sediment composed of loose rock and debris.
  3. If boundary around such dammed obstructions break, huge amounts of water will rush down the side of the mountains causing floods in the downstream areas. This is called as glacial lake outburst floods or GLOF.
  4. It can be triggered by several reasons that include:
    1. Earthquakes
    2. extremely heavy rains
    3. ice avalanches
    4. landslides (as these lakes are often found in steep, mountainous regions)

A GLOF caused by the Chorabari Tal glacial lake, led to floods in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath in 2013, killing thousands of people.

 

Local Governance in India

The Panchayati Raj system and municipal bodies serve as the first point of contact between citizens and the state. However, grassroots governance in India often struggles with inaccessible, detail
Share It

China’s Mega-Dam on Brahmaputra

China is constructing a massive 60,000 MW hydropower project on the Yarlung Zangbo River (called the Brahmaputra in India and Jamuna in Bangladesh), located in Tibet near Gelling in Arunachal Prad
Share It

India Hosts 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave

India recently hosted the 2nd BIMSTEC Ports Conclave in Visakhapatnam, focusing on enhancing maritime connectivity and sustainable development across the Bay of Bengal region. This event underscor
Share It

Manipur Crisis

The ongoing crisis in Manipur, which has now lasted for over two years, has resulted in over 250 deaths and widespread displacement, yet it has not received the same level of national priority as
Share It

India Africa

India and Africa are building a robust and evolving partnership, particularly in the realm of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which holds tremendous potential to boost socio-economic developm
Share It

Mangrove Ecosystems

The International Day for Conservation of Mangrove Ecosystems, observed annually on 26th July, serves as a vital reminder of the urgent need to protect mangroves, which are disappearing at an alar
Share It

Food Security and Nutrition

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 2025 report presents a mixed picture of global progress in combating hunger, highlighting both positive trends and pressing challenges,
Share It

The ‘Rising Northeast

The Investor Summit 2025’ organized by the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region (DoNER) in New Delhi is a major event aimed at showcasing the immense investment and trade potentia
Share It

India's Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

Launched in 2015, India's Smart Cities Mission (SCM) was conceived to tackle urban challenges using technology and sustainable development practices. The mission has witnessed significant inve
Share It

Ethanol Blending Success

India's achievement of 20% ethanol blending in petrol by 2025 is a significant milestone in the country’s pursuit of clean energy and sustainable development. Factors Behind India&rsq
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS