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No glacial lake found, landslip likely trigger: experts

9th February, 2021 Environment

Details:

  • A glacial lake outburst flooding (GLOF) occurs when a breach in the glacial lake causes a sudden surge downstream. Such lakes are formed when glaciers erode land, melt and over time become a large mass of water in the depression formed, and these can be breached, causing floods downstream. However, several scientists, based on an analysis of satellite images, have failed to spot any such lakes.
  • The Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors and prepares monthly reports on the state of glacial lakes and waterbodies measuring 10 hectares and above via satellite. Nothing out of the ordinary was observed. However, it is possible that smaller pockets of water that have not been caught in the satellite images may have flooded.
  • Other experts opine that a large mass of rock or debris might have impacted the glacier and triggered an avalanche.
  • The winter season would make it extremely hard and the ensuing damage to the connecting roadways make access difficult to reach the glaciers.

 

https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/no-glacial-lake-found-landslip-likely-trigger-experts/article33787131.ece