110 New Lakes Formed Due To Glaciers Melting In Last Three Years in Himachal
Girish Verma
The fast melting glaciers in Himalaya area is leading to formation of new lakes. In fact in the last three years 110 new lakes have come up in Himachal Pradesh due to fast melting glaciers. This has increased the threat of glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Himachal. The new lakes have formed at Ravi, Chenab and Beas river basins. According to experts monitoring of the situation, the threat seems to be hovering over human survival due to changes at Himalayan heights. The report released by State Council for Science, Technology and Environment reveals that threat of GLOF is increasing with each passing day due to fast formation of lakes at river basins. Especially villages habitated under the glaciers in tribal district Lahaul Spiti could face heavy damage in GLOF like situation. According to experts lakes formed due to melting of glaciers was responsible even for Uttarakhand tragedy that claimed many lives and cause huge devastation in 2013. Heavy rains increased the water level of these lakes to a great extent that lead to outburst of these lakes. Out of 249 glacier lakes in Himachal, 11 lakes were found to be highly capable of bringing floods in the area. Experts said global warming is the reason behind the fast melting of glaciers.
Four Lakes Spread Over More Than Ten Hectares Area
The report released by State Council for Science, Technology and Environment reveals that there were 116 lakes in Chenab basin in 2013 that has increased to 192 by 2015. The number of lakes have increased by four times if compared to the statistics of 2001. Out of these 192 lakes, four lakes are spread over an area of more than 10 hectares; six lakes are spread over an area of five to ten hectares and the rest 182 lakes are spread over an area of less than five hectares. Similarly there were 67 lakes in Beas basin that have increased to 89 in Besides this there were 22 lakes in Ravi basin in 2013 that have increased to 34 in 2015. Scientists have made these calculations on the basis of pictures received through satellite.
* The probabilities of flood like situation due to these lakes during monsoon cannot be overlooked. These lakes can anytime take a furious look on increase of water level.
-Dr. J.C. Kuniyal, Environment Assessment and Management Expert, G.B. Pant Institute, Kullu