Paper: GS – I, Subject: Geography, Topic: Geo- Physical Phenomenon, Issue: Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).
Context:
Nepal recently experienced a catastrophic Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) along the Lende River, originating in Tibet.
- The flood destroyed a China-built friendship bridge and disrupted the inland container port at Rasuwagadhi. It also rendered four hydropower plants on the Bhote Koshi River inoperable, cutting 8% of Nepal’s power supply.
- Rising temperatures and glacial melt are increasing the threat of GLOFs across the Himalayas.
Key Takeaways:
About Glacial Lake and Glacial Lake outburst flood (GLOFs):
- Glacial lakes: It is a body of water formed by the melting of glacial ice, typically created in depressions or basins carved out by glaciers during their movement.
- There are 4 categories of glacial lakes (based on their formation process) i.e. Moraine-dammed, Ice-dammed, Erosion, and others.
- GLOFs: It is a release of meltwater from a moraine or ice dam glacial due to dam failure.
- GLOFs have three main features Involve sudden (and sometimes cyclic) releases of water.
- Tend to be rapid events, lasting hours to days. Result in large downstream river discharges.
- Examples of GLOFs 2023: GLOF at South Lhonak, destroyed the Teesta III Dam at Chungthang in Sikkim.
- 2013: GLOF in Chorabari glacial lake and floods in Mandakini River in Uttarakhand.
Challenges and Solutions in Managing Glacial Lake Outburst Floods(GLOFs):
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