The Himalayan region, long considered a guardian of nature and climate, is now facing the brunt of global warming. Rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns are causing glaciers to retreat at an alarming rate. This grim phenomenon has been highlighted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which has unveiled an even more worrying consequence of the melting glaciers—the rapid expansion of glacial lakes in the upper Himalayan regions.
These lakes, formed by retreating glaciers, are growing larger every year and pose a significant risk of catastrophic events. Experts fear that the bursting of these lakes could trigger disasters comparable to the Kedarnath tragedy of 2013, which claimed thousands of lives. Among the most concerning cases is the Vasudhara Tal in the Dhauli Ganga basin of Chamoli district. Situated at an altitude of 4,702 meters, this lake has seen its surface area expand by over 421% in just over five decades, increasing from 0.14 square kilometers in 1968 to 0.59 square kilometers in 2021. During the same period, the water volume in the lake surged by a staggering 768%, from 2.11 million cubic meters to 16.2 million cubic meters.
Glacier-Chorabari
Uttarakhand, home to nearly 1,400 glaciers, hosts over 1,266 glacial lakes that exceed 500 square meters in size. A recent study by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, based on satellite data, identified 13 lakes as highly sensitive, with five—including Vasudhara Tal—deemed extremely vulnerable. Scientists attribute the rapid expansion of these lakes to global warming and increasing surface temperatures. The monsoon season exacerbates the situation, as melting glaciers and increased precipitation heighten the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Events like the 2013 Kedarnath floods and the 2021 Chamoli disaster have already demonstrated the devastating consequences of such outbursts, which resulted in massive loss of life and destruction of infrastructure.
Despite these alarming trends, monitoring and mitigation efforts remain limited. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has repeatedly stressed the importance of close observation and risk assessment of glacial lakes. However, on-ground surveys have been sporadic. For instance, while the Vasudhara Tal was recently inspected by a team from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, similar assessments of other high-risk lakes are yet to be conducted.
The risks associated with glacial lake outbursts are not new. The 2013 Kedarnath disaster was triggered by the collapse of Chorabari Glacier Lake, resulting in catastrophic flooding that claimed over 6,000 lives. In 2021, a portion of the Nanda Devi Glacier broke off in Chamoli, unleashing a deluge in the Dhauli Ganga basin that killed over 200 people and destroyed two hydroelectric projects. More recently, in 2023, the breach of Lhonak Lake in Sikkim caused widespread devastation. These events underscore the growing threat posed by climate change to the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
A report released in October by the ADC Foundation under its Uttarakhand Disaster and Accident Analysis Initiative (UDAAI) provided further evidence of the region’s vulnerability. It documented several alarming incidents, including the retreat of the Pindari Glacier by over half a kilometer in 60 years, land subsidence near Tungnath Temple due to water seepage, and landslides on the Badrinath Highway near the Helang-Marwari bypass.
A senior scientist at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, emphasized the urgency of addressing these challenges. He confirmed that a scientific team recently surveyed the Vasudhara Tal and is preparing a detailed report on its current state.
A senior government official assured that appropriate measures would be taken once the findings are reviewed.
As the Himalayas continue to bear the impact of climate change, experts warn that the region is on the brink of more frequent and severe disasters. Proactive monitoring and comprehensive mitigation efforts are critical to safeguarding human lives and preserving the fragile ecosystems of this iconic mountain range.
