STUDY ON HANGING GLACIERS IN CENTRAL HIMALAYA

NEWS: A new study warns that unstable hanging glaciers in the Central Himalaya can trigger: Avalanches, Floods

Hanging Glaciers

• Hanging glaciers are: Glaciers located on steep mountain slopes
• They cling to valley wallsà Often end abruptly (no support below)

Why are they dangerous?

• They are unstable by nature
• Can suddenly break off → cause avalanches
• Avalanches may: Destroy settlements, Block rivers → form lakes → flash floods

Study Area: Alaknanda Basin

• Located in Alaknanda River Basin
• It is a major headstream of the Ganga
• Highly ecologically fragile & seismically active

Key Features

• Elevation range: 400 m to 7800 m
• Contains major religious sites: Badrinath, Kedarnath

Key Findings of the Study

Glacier Data

• 219 hanging glaciers identified
• Cover area: ~72 sq km
• Ice volume: ~2.39 cubic km

Stability Status

• ~1/3 glaciers are highly unstable
• Most glaciers face: Southeast–West, North-Northeast High-Risk Zone
• Upper Alaknanda basin → 30% of hanging ice mass

Key Observations

• Himalayas warming faster than global averageàLeads to: Glacier retreat, Destabilisation of glaciers
• Process: Tributary glaciers detach
• Mass released as: Snow avalanches

Human Exposure & Risk

• Increasing Risk Factorsà Rapid development in fragile zones: Roads, Hydropower projects, Tourism infrastructure
• Growth of Settlements–> Built-up area: 2000 → 8,000 sq m, 2030 → 1,50,000 sq m(projected)
• High-Risk Settlements: Mana Village, Badrinath, Hanuman Chatti

Possible Impacts

• Avalanche Effectà Ice debris up to 50 metres highà Can: Destroy infrastructure, Bury settlements
• Secondary Hazardsà River blockage → formation of temporary lakes, Sudden bursting → Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)

Suggested Solutions

• Targeted monitoring of high-risk glaciers
• Focus on: Most unstable glaciers, High population areas
• Full-scale monitoring everywhere is difficult → prioritization is key