New Delhi, Aug 11 – A glacial lake high in the mountains above Uttarakhand’s Kheer Ganga river may hold clues to the devastating flash floods that buried Dharali village earlier this week, experts say.
The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has identified the lake from satellite images taken between 2014 and 2022. The images show the water body at an altitude of around 5,200 metres, connected to Dharali via a steep mountain stream. However, scientists have not confirmed if a sudden burst of this lake, known as a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), directly caused the disaster.
NIDM says the area is naturally prone to debris-filled flash floods because of its glaciers, loose rocks, and sharp slopes. The institute has called for on-ground surveys and hydrological studies to determine the lake’s stability and potential risks.
The August 5 floods left parts of Dharali buried in mud, destroyed roads, and blocked stretches of the Bhagirathi river. Hundreds remain missing, while satellite images show bridges and orchards washed away.
Impact:
If confirmed, the findings could help authorities identify other dangerous glacial lakes in the Himalayas and take preventive measures before similar tragedies strike. It also highlights the urgent need for climate resilience in mountain communities already vulnerable to melting glaciers.