Abstract
Abstract. Glacial lakes and associated outburst floods (GLOFs) have increased in the Himalayan region due to climate change during the last century that has led to huge losses to society. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to map glacial lakes, their increasing extent, and associated damage potential in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR), Indian Himalaya. The glacial lakes were mapped on Landsat TM (3 November, 2009 and 6 November 2010) and Landsat MSS satellite images (15 November 1976 and 26 October 1979) to assess their changing area. Potential GLOFs sites have been identified and studied for their damage potentials using site characteristics and past occurrence of GLOFs. A total of 35 lakes were mapped, of which 14 lakes are located at more than 4500 m. The size and damage potentials of lakes have increased. Some lakes grew so much that they merged to form a big lake. All of these are potential GLOFs and can cause severe damage to society.
Highlights
Major glacio-hydrological changes have taken place in glacial and periglacial mountain regions in response to climate change due to their higher level of sensitivity (Barry 1990, Couture and Pollard 2007, Mal and Singh 2013)
Certain geomorphic processes and events including glacial de-buttressing, slope failures and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) events have accelerated on recently deglaciated foreland, periglacial and further downstream regions (Quincey et al 2005)
A GLOF event was properly reported for the first time, i.e. Kedar Tal glacial lake outburst (17 June 2013) above the Kedarnath Shrine (Uttarakhand), as it hit the major pilgrim centre, i.e. Kedarnath and caused unprecedented damage
Summary
Major glacio-hydrological changes have taken place in glacial and periglacial mountain regions in response to climate change due to their higher level of sensitivity (Barry 1990, Couture and Pollard 2007, Mal and Singh 2013). Certain geomorphic processes and events including glacial de-buttressing, slope failures and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) events have accelerated on recently deglaciated foreland, periglacial and further downstream regions (Quincey et al 2005) These failures frequently turn out to be catastrophic to human society (Evans and Clague 1994) and their ill effects are often felt further downstream, e.g. GLOFs events and associated debris flow (Huggel et al 2004). The field photographs were synchronized with GPS readings in order to provide them with latitude and longitude information It helped to identify glacial lakes and slope failure events on satellite images. Relevant literature, including research papers, monographs and research reports have been consulted
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