New Delhi, 31 August (H.S.): The water disaster in Nepal has also sounded a major warning for the Himalayan regions of Uttarakhand, where several potential “water bombs” in the form of vulnerable glacial lakes could burst at any time, potentially triggering devastating floods across several districts. The state government, however, is monitoring these lakes closely and taking necessary preventive measures.

A report prepared by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology has identified 13 vulnerable and extremely high-risk lakes in Uttarakhand’s Himalayan region. The report has also expressed concern over unplanned excavation and extensive construction activities for tunnels, roads and hydropower projects in the mountains. It has made several recommendations aimed at reducing the impact of disasters in the future. The institute has acknowledged that these activities have significantly weakened the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.

The NDMA and the Wadia Institute had already cautioned governments about the potential risks posed by natural disasters arising from such glacial “water bombs” in the Himalayan regions in their joint report released in February 2024.

According to reports and studies by the NDMA and the Wadia Institute, 13 highly vulnerable glacial lakes have been identified in Uttarakhand. Five of them have been placed in the most dangerous category: Vasudhara Tal in Chamoli district; an unnamed high-risk lake in the Joshimath region; Sayantyangti Lake in the valley of Darma and Kutiangli peaks in Pithoragarh district; Mabong Lake near the Lasaryangti Valley in the same district; and Pyungaru Lake in a vulnerable glacial zone adjoining the China border. Saraswati Tal in Chamoli district and Kedartal in Uttarkashi district have also been classified as extremely high-risk lakes.

According to the report, if a major glacial lake in the high Himalayan region bursts for any reason, cities, towns and villages located along downstream rivers could suffer widespread destruction. Critical infrastructure across the state could also sustain extensive damage.

In Chamoli district and the Alaknanda Valley, a sudden surge in the Alaknanda, Dhauli Ganga and Rishi Ganga rivers could cause significant damage in Joshimath, the Tapovan area and surrounding villages, as well as Karnaprayag, Nandprayag and Chamoli town. A sharp rise in the water level of the Alaknanda could trigger extensive flooding and riverbank erosion in these major urban centres and low-lying areas.

Similarly, a breach of Kedartal or lakes located near the Gangotri Glacier could rapidly raise the water level of the Bhagirathi River, directly affecting Uttarkashi town. Areas such as Harsil, Jhala and Maneri along the Bhagirathi River are considered particularly vulnerable.

According to the NDMA and hydrology experts, low-lying and riverbank areas of Rishikesh and Haridwar could also be inundated. In Rishikesh, areas located immediately along the river, including Triveni Ghat, Naav Ghat, the Chandrabhaga riverbank, the lower markets around Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula, as well as riverside resorts and ashrams, could face flooding.

In Haridwar, a sudden rise in the Ganga’s water level could completely submerge the lower sections of Har Ki Pauri, Kangra Ghat and Chandi Ghat. Even after the floodwaters recede, several feet of silt and mud could accumulate at ghats and hotels, potentially taking months to clear. Such flooding could not only cause substantial loss of life but also severely damage infrastructure and hydropower projects across the state.

The NDMA has recommended installing automatic weather stations and sensors to enable real-time monitoring of vulnerable glacial lakes and rivers. It has also called for determining the carrying capacity of vulnerable hill towns and tourist destinations, including the Char Dham routes, and imposing either a complete ban or stringent restrictions on heavy infrastructure construction in earthquake- and landslide-prone areas.

The state government is currently examining the recommendations of the report. Taking lessons from the Nepal disaster, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a high-level review meeting on August 27 to assess potential risks arising from vulnerable glacial lakes in Uttarakhand.

During the meeting, Chief Minister Dhami directed expert teams to be immediately deployed for detailed scientific surveys of Saraswati Tal in Chamoli and Kedartal in Uttarkashi. He also instructed officials to install state-of-the-art water-level sensors, automatic weather stations and satellite-based warning systems at vulnerable lakes, besides exploring measures to safely drain water from the lakes to reduce pressure.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar