NDMA to monitor 189 high-risk glacial lakes to prevent disasters

Contact Counsellor

Last Updated24/08/2024

Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has finalised a list of 189 “high-risk” glacial lakes for mitigation measures to reduce the risk emanating from them.

In response to the increasing threat posed by overflowing glacial lakes in the Himalayas, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of India has identified 189 "high-risk" glacial lakes that require immediate mitigation measures.
These efforts are part of a broader strategy to prevent catastrophic events such as the devastating glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) that struck Sikkim in October 2023, which claimed the lives of at least 40 people and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including the Chungthang dam.

The National Glacial Lake Outburst Floods Risk Mitigation Programme (NGRMP) was approved by the Central government on July 25, 2024, as a dedicated effort to address the growing risks associated with glacial lakes in the Himalayan region.
With approximately 7,500 glacial lakes scattered across India's Himalayan ranges, many of these lakes are being monitored via remote sensing technology.
However, remote monitoring alone is insufficient for fully assessing the potential hazards posed by these lakes, particularly given the challenges of accessing these remote and often inhospitable terrains.

The NDMA’s strategy includes deploying teams to conduct on-site investigations of the identified high-risk glacial lakes. These teams are tasked with implementing "lake-lowering measures" to reduce the risk of overflow, which could lead to devastating floods in downstream areas.
The harsh conditions in the Himalayas allow for expeditions to these lakes only during a few months of the year, typically from July to September. Despite these constraints, significant progress has been made.
For instance, the Arunachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority has recently sent two teams to study six high-risk glacial lakes in the Tawang and Dibang Valley districts.

The Central Water Commission (CWC), in its October 2023 report, noted that 902 glacial lakes and water bodies are currently being monitored via satellite.
The NGRMP plans to install Automated Weather and Water Level Monitoring Stations (AWWS) and Early Warning Systems (EWS) at strategic locations near these lakes and in downstream areas.
Since the inception of the programme, 15 expeditions have been conducted across various Himalayan states, including Sikkim, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir. These expeditions are critical for gathering data and implementing risk reduction measures. An additional seven expeditions are currently underway.