Kashmir University and IIT Roorke secure ₹91.2 lakh grant to study Himalayan glacial lake risk

Ziraat Times Team Report

Srinagar, July 29: The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has sanctioned a joint research project worth ₹91.2 lakh to the University of Kashmir and IIT Roorkee to assess the risks posed by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) across the Indian Himalayan Region.

According to information shared in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, the project, titled “Identifying current and future GLOF risk over contrasting topographic and climate zones of Indian Himalaya using Earth observation data and modelling,” was approved under the Ministry’s Hydrology and Cryosphere Programme in 2022.

The study seeks to develop a comprehensive methodology to investigate glacial lakes over different time scales and evaluate their hazard potential using physically based models. Researchers will examine contrasting climatological, geomorphological and topographical zones across the Himalayas to improve understanding of glacial lake formation and associated risks.

The project is expected to enhance the prediction of hazards linked to glacial lakes, particularly threats to downstream communities, infrastructure and other vulnerable areas.

The Ministry informed Parliament that it has released ₹62.03 lakh for the project over the last three years.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, provided the details in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.