In response to the Teesta-III Hydroelectric dam collapse in October 2023, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has launched a comprehensive review of flood risks associated with dams vulnerable to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). The review aims to ensure that these dams, both existing and under construction, have adequate spillway capacity to handle a combination of Probable Maximum Flood/Standard Probable Flood and GLOF.
According to the Central Electricity Authority under the Ministry of Power, 47 dams—38 commissioned and 9 under construction—are identified as likely to be affected by GLOFs from glacial lakes in Indian territory. Out of these, GLOF studies have already been completed for 31 projects.
The CWC’s monitoring covers 902 glacial lakes and water bodies across the Himalayan region from June to October each year, including 477 with a water spread area greater than 50 hectares and 425 lakes sized between 10 and 50 hectares. This monitoring enables the detection of changes in water spread areas, helping to identify lakes that have expanded significantly and pose potential disaster risks. The monthly monitoring reports can be accessed here.
In addition, a Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction (CoDRR) under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), with representatives from six Himalayan states and other stakeholders, has identified high-risk glacial lakes for further assessment. These assessments will help prepare comprehensive mitigation strategies, including the establishment of early warning systems and other structural and non-structural measures.
The Union Home Minister recently approved a GLOF risk mitigation project with a budget of Rs 150 crore. This project will support the states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in implementing various mitigation measures related to GLOFs.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Earth Science, through its autonomous institute, the National Centre of Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), has been conducting scientific research on pro-glacial lakes in the Chandra Basin since 2013. A study sponsored by the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) has also assessed the status of glacial lakes in the Sikkim Himalayas, focusing on the impact of climate change on the Teesta River Basin.
These concerted efforts underscore the significant risks posed by GLOFs to the region’s dam infrastructure and the need for continuous monitoring and proactive mitigation strategies to safeguard the vulnerable areas.
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