India is home to 56 at-risk glacial lakes, and the urgency to monitor these bodies of water has intensified following the recent burst of Lhonak Lake, which caused substantial damage to surrounding areas. The monitoring of these lakes is vital in preventing and mitigating potential flood disasters that could arise from similar events.
In response to the increasing risks, India is embarking on a pilot project in collaboration with Swiss experts aimed at establishing the country’s first early warning systems at vulnerable glacial lakes, including Lhonak Lake and Shako Cho Lake. These systems are designed to provide advance warnings to communities before floods occur, enhancing safety and preparedness.
The project is being coordinated by India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in partnership with various Indian and international institutes. State governments will play a crucial role in determining which of the 56 at-risk glacial lakes should be prioritized for monitoring system installation based on local recommendations.
Authorities are targeting the setup of initial monitoring systems by the following year, with a focus on tracking weather and environmental conditions at these lakes. The establishment of a comprehensive early warning system will depend on the outcomes of these monitoring efforts.
Implementing these systems in high mountain regions presents significant challenges. Access to these areas is often limited to the summer months, complicating installation efforts. Moreover, the monitoring systems will be unmanned and will rely on solar or battery power, adding additional operational challenges.
As climate change continues to warm high mountain regions, the risk of outburst floods (GLOFs) from glacial lakes increases. Monitoring these lakes is essential to mitigate the threats posed by such floods to communities living in the Himalayas, ensuring their safety and resilience in the face of climate change.
Currently, India is lagging behind its South Asian neighbors in implementing glacial flood early warning systems. Despite the presence of over 200 high-hazard lakes that threaten Himalayan communities, the deployment of these critical systems is still in progress. Establishing effective early warning systems is paramount for disaster preparedness and ensuring the safety of vulnerable regions facing the challenges of climate change.
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