Chief Secretary directs study on GLOFs in J&K
Ishtiyaq Kar
Srinagar, Dec 03 (KINS): Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has directed the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R) to study Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) by visiting various mountainous lakes in Jammu and Kashmir.
Atal Dulloo recently chaired a detailed meeting of the DMRR&R to assess the measures undertaken for disaster mitigation in J&K.
A source told the news agency KINS that the Chief Secretary instructed the department to conduct a study on GLOFs by surveying different mountainous lakes in the region.
GLOFs occur when the water level in glacial lakes breaches their natural boundaries, releasing large volumes of water into nearby streams and rivers. This phenomenon often triggers flash floods, causing widespread destruction. Studies show that GLOFs pose a persistent threat to downstream populations and natural habitats.
Previous research on glaciers and GLOFs in the region has primarily been conducted by professors funded by external organizations.
According to experts, Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh host approximately 15,000 glaciers, making the region highly vulnerable to climate change.
Recognizing the urgency, the J&K government has instructed the concerned departments to implement preventive measures against GLOFs. “Detailed studies by expert glaciologists are imperative to devise strategies to mitigate such natural disasters,” a government directive states.
The Department of Disaster Management has been tasked with forming a team of glaciologists and other experts to conduct expeditions to assess the state of glaciers and glacial lakes. Additionally, a high-powered monitoring committee has been established to evaluate risks and recommend appropriate interventions.
The Himalayas, known for their fragile ecosystems, have experienced an increasing frequency of GLOF events in recent decades. Experts attribute this trend to climate change and heightened human activity in glacial regions. “The Himalayas have recorded more GLOFs than any other mountain range, averaging 1.3 incidents annually over the past four decades,” a study notes.
It further emphasizes that rising global temperatures have accelerated glacier thinning and mass loss, raising serious concerns about the health of Himalayan glaciers.
Through this initiative, the J&K administration aims to better understand these challenges and implement effective solutions to safeguard both people and nature from the impacts of glacial hazards. (KINS)
