Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in Sikkim - Coggle Diagram
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
in Sikkim
GLOF
Tragedy
South Lhonak Lake, located at 17,000 feet, ruptured, affecting four districts in Sikkim.
Sikkim, a Himalayan state, grapples with a GLOF caused by incessant rainfall.
Glacial lakes are large water bodies near, on, or beneath glaciers.
Concept behind
Common in glacier regions, involving meltwater accumulation in glacier-created basins.
Triggers: Melting glaciers, avalanches, earthquakes, rainfall, and volcanic eruptions.
GLOF: Sudden, often catastrophic release of water from a glacial lake due to dam failure.
Destruction
and Impact
Loss of life: GLOFs result in human and animal fatalities.
Infrastructure damage: Roads, bridges, buildings, and farmland can be destroyed.
Environmental harm: Floodwaters and debris affect forests, wetlands, and river ecosystems.
Flooding: Rapid and extensive flooding in downstream areas.
Notable
GLOF
Events
2013 Kedarnath flash floods in Uttarakhand were intensified by a GLOF from Chorabari Tal glacial lake.
Past GLOFs led to significant loss of life and infrastructure damage.
Chamoli Disaster 2021
South Lhonak
Lake's Susceptibility
Glacial lake expansion: South Lhonak Lake has grown due to glacier retreat and melt, making it vulnerable.
Seismic activity: Earthquakes in the region can trigger avalanches and dam failure.
Glacial melting: Rising temperatures cause glaciers to melt, increasing glacial lake water volume.
Government
Interventions
High-Density Polyethylene pipes were installed to extract water, reducing lake water levels and GLOF risk.
In 2016, Sikkim initiated measures to mitigate South Lhonak Lake's risk by syphoning off water.
Way Forward
Construct protective infrastructure.
Implement early warning systems.
Implement land-use planning and zoning.
Regular monitoring of glacial lakes.