13 Glacial Lakes in India’s Uttarakhand Flagged as Highly Sensitive

Uttarakhand is strengthening its defenses against glacial-lake hazards after a nearby Himalayan collapse produced floods and mudflows that killed people. State authorities have identified 13 glacial lakes as highly sensitive.

At a review meeting in Dehradun on August 27, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered regular scientific monitoring and comprehensive surveys. Officials will examine changes in lake size and water levels, the stability of surrounding terrain and risks to settlements downstream.

Dhami also directed authorities to install modern sensors, water-level measuring equipment, communication devices and early-warning systems. Officials must identify vulnerable areas, improve evacuation routes and communications, strengthen local warning arrangements, and prepare relief and rescue operations.

Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said teams had already surveyed four of the 13 lakes. The remaining sites will undergo assessment in phases, with expert teams due to carry out detailed surveys of Saraswati Tal in Chamoli and Kedartal in Uttarkashi.

The review followed the August 26 disaster in the Nepal-China border region. The US Geological Survey said a rapid slope failure involving a glacier caused a massive debris flow and flood. The event generated seismic energy equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake, and the debris flow traveled nearly 100 kilometers downstream.

“

Four of the 13 sensitive lakes had already been surveyed, while the remaining sites would be assessed in phases.