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30 May 2026 7 views

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)

theIAShub
theIAShub
30 May, 2026
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Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)
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Sudden release of large water volumes from glacial lakes threatening Himalayan infrastructure and downstream communities.

Why in News

The Central government's decision to halt new hydroelectricity projects in the Ganga Basin cites GLOF risk as a critical ecological vulnerability, especially after the 2023 Teesta-III dam destruction in Sikkim.

Key Facts

  • GLOFs occur when glacial lakes breach due to ice/moraine dam failure, releasing catastrophic flood waves downstream.
  • Climate change accelerates glacier melt, creating highly unstable glacial lakes in the Himalayas.
  • The 2023 Teesta-III GLOF in Sikkim completely destroyed a multi-crore hydroelectric dam within hours.
  • Seismic Zones IV and V cover the entire Himalayan region, classified as high-risk earthquake zones. (UPSC Mains Usage: Geography + Disaster Management linkage — GS1 + GS3)
  • Young fold mountains like the Himalayas are geologically unstable due to ongoing Indian-Eurasian plate collision.
  • Joshimath land subsidence (recent years) linked to heavy construction, blasting, and unscientific muck dumping.
  • The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers are the primary headstreams of the Ganga in Uttarakhand.
  • Tapovan Vishnugad project severely damaged in the 2021 Chamoli flash flood. (UPSC Mains Usage: Case study for disaster-development conflict)

Quick Revision Box

Term

Detail

GLOF

Sudden flood from glacial lake breach due to ice/moraine dam failure

Seismic Zone V

Highest earthquake risk zone; covers Eastern Himalayas

Teesta-III Dam

Destroyed in 2023 Sikkim GLOF; multi-crore infrastructure loss

Joshimath

Uttarakhand town facing land subsidence from heavy construction

Young Fold Mountains

Geologically active, formed by tectonic plate collision (Himalayas)

Chamoli Flood 2021

Flash flood that damaged Tapovan Vishnugad hydro project


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