Itanagar, Jun 4: In a significant initiative to strengthen disaster preparedness in the Eastern Himalayas, representatives from leading scientific institutions, government agencies and the Indian Army convened for a two-day high-level technical consultation at Baisakhi (Dirang) near Sela Top, to develop science-based strategies for addressing the growing threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the Mago Chu Basin of Arunachal Pradesh.
The consultation focused on glacial lakes originating from the Khangri Glacier and brought together experts from premier national institutions, including the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa; Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee; Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP); Department of Science and Technology (DST); IIT Mandi; Brahmaputra Basin Organization (BBO); Central Water Commission (CWC); Ministry of Jal Shakti; and the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CES&HS), Itanagar.
Prominent participants included Prof (Dr) Ajanta Goswami of IIT Roorkee, Dr Parmanand Sharma of NCPOR, Dr Sheikh Nawaz Ali of BSIP, Dr Derrick P Shukla of IIT Mandi, and Er Govardhan Prasad, Chief Engineer, BBO-CWC, along with scientists and engineers from CES&HS and the CWC.
The deliberations centered on establishing a collaborative framework that integrates scientific research, technological interventions, field investigations and institutional coordination for effective GLOF risk assessment and mitigation in the Mago Chu Basin. Experts stressed that proactive measures are essential to reduce the risks posed by potential glacial lake outburst events, which could threaten critical infrastructure, livelihoods and downstream communities.
Recognizing mountains as the world’s natural water infrastructure, participants stressed the need to align scientific research with water security, climate resilience, ecosystem conservation, disaster risk reduction, source-to-sea basin management approaches, which should link with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 13 and 17.
Addressing the gathering, CES&HS Director Tana Tage underscored the far-reaching impacts of changes occurring in the Himalayan cryosphere. Referring to findings from recent scientific expeditions, he remarked that “what happens in the mountains does not stay in the mountains,” noting that changes in glaciers and snow systems affect river flows, food security, energy production, ecosystems, economies and communities far downstream.
He further stated that CES&HS, in collaboration with national institutions and domain experts, is working towards generating shared scientific evidence and developing a common understanding of climate and water-related risks across the Brahmaputra River basin, from the Himalayan water towers to the sea.
The experts observed that glaciers and glacial lakes in the Eastern Himalayas remain among the least studied due to the lack of detailed morphometric and volumetric data. The region's steep terrain, high altitude, remoteness and harsh environmental conditions have limited field-based investigations, resulting in a heavy reliance on satellite-based inventories that provide only partial information on lake depth, water volume and basin characteristics.
The meeting unanimously stressed the importance of conducting bathymetric surveys to accurately estimate stored water volumes, breach hydrographs and downstream flood propagation scenarios. The absence of such field-based data remains a major challenge in Arunachal Pradesh and other parts of the Eastern Himalayas.
Following a detailed assessment of the geomorphological characteristics of Sangye Neku (Rani) Lake, the experts recommended several structural mitigation measures aimed at reducing the likelihood and impacts of future GLOF events. Particular attention was given to the stability of the moraine dam and the lake’s outlet conditions, including options for controlled water discharge.
Among the key recommendations was the controlled lowering of lake water levels through a modular siphon-based drainage system. Experts described the approach as technically feasible, environmentally sensitive and well-suited to the fragile Himalayan ecosystem surrounding Sangye Neku (Rani), Sanhapo and Dharkha Tso Lakes.
The consultation concluded with a strong commitment from participating institutions to undertake collaborative scientific investigations, strengthen monitoring systems and develop evidence-based mitigation measures to enhance the resilience of vulnerable mountain communities and critical infrastructure against emerging glacial hazards.