- Mesmerize Yourself With The Beauty of Glacial Lakes
- Location: Gasa district, north-western Bhutan.
- Geographical Location: Located below Wakila Mountain, in the Lungo Area of Laya Gewog.
- River System: The Mo Chhu river system, which is a portion of the much larger Punatsangchhu basin, has its headwaters here.
- Downstream River: The Punatsangchhu is called the Sankosh River when it enters India.
- Recent Event: On October 29, 2026, there was a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).
- Flood Warnings: The Sankosh River was expected to rise, so flood warnings were given out to some areas of Assam and West Bengal.
- Significance: The importance of Shintaphu lies in the fact that it is one of the 17 dangerous glacial lakes found within Bhutan.
What is a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)?
Definition: A GLOF occurs when water held back by a natural dam of a glacial lake escapes through a break or failure of that dam.
Causes:
- Moraine dam collapse.
- Ice avalanche.
- Landslide.
- Earthquake.
- Rapid glacial melting.
Impacts:
- Flash floods.
- Destruction of infrastructure.
- Loss of life.
- Soil erosion.
- Damage to communities downstream.
Climate Change Connection: Warmer temperatures result in faster melting of glaciers and potential increases in the number of glacial lakes as well as their size.
Prelims MCQs
Q. Consider the following statements regarding Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs):
- GLOFs can occur due to the failure of moraine dams.
- GLOFs are restricted to regions experiencing active volcanic activity.
- Climate change can increase the risk of GLOFs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Failure of natural moraine barriers can release large volumes of glacial lake water.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: GLOFs are common mountain hazards, particularly in the Himalayas, and are not restricted to volcanic regions.
- Statement 3 is correct: Glacier melting and the expansion of glacial lakes due to rising temperatures can increase GLOF risks.
Ravi Raaz
Hassan Khan
Shadab Ali