Uttarakhand News: There is a big danger looming due to the rapid increase in the size of glacier lakes in five Himalayan states including Uttarakhand. Glaciers continue to melt rapidly in these areas, causing the glacier lakes to expand. If these lakes burst, there could be large-scale devastation in the lower areas. A recent report by the Central Water Commission (CWC) has highlighted this situation, which shows the severity of India's climate crisis.

Due to climate change, glaciers in the Himalayan region are melting rapidly, due to which the size of the lakes is continuously increasing to dangerous levels. In the last 13 years, an increase of 33.7 percent has been recorded in these glacier lakes. Along with Uttarakhand, the situation is also serious in states like Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, where more than 40 percent increase in the size of the lakes has been observed. 

Area of ​​water bodies is also increasing: Report
This report released by the Central Water Commission stated that in 2011, the total area of ​​glacier lakes located in the Himalayan region was 1,962 hectares, which has now increased to 2,623 hectares. According to the report, the area of ​​other water bodies is also increasing. In 2011, the area of ​​these water bodies was 4.33 lakh hectares, which has now increased to 5.91 lakh hectares. In this way, the area of ​​these water bodies has increased by 10.81 percent. Due to the increasing size, the risk of bursting of these lakes, which is called Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), is increasing.

67 high-risk lakes identified
According to the DWC report, 67 such lakes have been identified whose surface area has increased by more than 40 percent. Many of these lakes are located in Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. The report recommends intensive monitoring of these lakes so that their condition can be monitored and measures can be taken before any potential flood disaster. The bursting of these high-risk lakes can pose a threat not only to these states but also to India's neighboring countries Bhutan, Nepal, and China, where there is a possibility of floods.

The rate of melting of glaciers has increased more than before, putting the lives of millions of people dependent on the water sources of the Himalayan region in danger. A report released by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in 2022 stated that the rate of melting of glaciers between 2011 and 2020 was 65 percent more than that between 2000 and 2010. According to the report, if this rate continues, then by the end of this century, about 80 percent of the Himalayan glaciers may disappear.

Impact on water resources in India
The Himalayas are the main source of water for about 1.65 billion people in India and other parts of Asia. The flow of rivers like the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra is dependent on these Himalayan glaciers. Agriculture, industry, and drinking water supply depend on irrigation from these rivers. Melting of glaciers and expansion of lakes can not only cause flash floods in the downstream areas but also pose a risk of long-term drying of these rivers. In this scenario, agricultural production, water resource management, and the safety of the local population may be affected.

The DWC report recommends that high-risk lakes should be closely monitored. The government needs to take immediate action in view of the danger of these lakes bursting. It is necessary to constantly assess the increase in the size of the lakes and prepare disaster management plans for potential disasters based on this.

Villagers and local people living in the Himalayan region also need to be made aware of this danger so that they can remain alert in time. Also, disaster management departments will have to insist on setting up a warning system related to GLOF. This will enable people to get timely warning and they will be able to go to safe places.

Possibility of flooding and disaster in downstream areas
If any of these lakes bursts, it can cause sudden flooding in downstream areas. This can cause huge loss of life and property. Past incidents show that the bursting of such lakes can result in hundreds of people losing their lives, thousands of people becoming homeless, huge damage to property and infrastructure.

The effects of climate change are being felt seriously in the Himalayan regions. The rapidly increasing size of glacier lakes is a danger signal not only for Uttarakhand but also for other Himalayan states. In this scenario, the government and administrative agencies will have to take concrete steps to avert this potential disaster. Concrete plans and vigilance are needed to reduce the effects of climate change in the Himalayan regions and to protect these sensitive areas.