A research conducted by the Central Water Commission back in 2015 has now grabbed headlines after flash floods in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim wreaked havoc claiming lives of at least 22 people.

As per news agency PTI reports, the study had clearly warned the state government that most of the hydropower projects on the Teesta river are extremely prone to such events.

A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), which took place in parts of Lhonak Lake, lead to a rapid rise in water levels with very high velocities downstream along the Teesta River Basin in the early hours of Oct 4.

The CWC analysis, titled “Glacial Lake Outburst Flood–South Lhonak System in Teesta River Basin”, was aimed at studying the impact of GLOF in vulnerable areas and the hydropower projects on the river.

CWC investigators found out that GLOFs in glacial lakes in the river basin could lead to extreme flash floods downstream, affecting areas like Lachen, Chungthang, Dikchu, Singtam, Manipal, Rangpo, Bara Mungwa villages, and the entirety of hydropower projects Teesta I to VI along a 175-km stretch of the river.

The 2015 research also predicted a probable increase in the river’s water level by 4.45 metres due to a GLOF at South Lhonak Lake.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explained-is-sikkim-flash-floods-a-result-of-cloud-burst-or-glacial-lake-outburst-642897"> Explained | Is Sikkim flash flood not caused by cloud burst but glacial lake outburst?</a>

It assessed that the lake could release water at a rate of 6,210 cubic metres per second, which could reach Chungthang and the Teesta III projects within two hours.

Surprisingly, the study had also underlined the need for the hydropower project authorities to take the findings into consideration and accordingly develop mechanisms for close monitoring of the lakes.

According to news agency PTI reports, experts say that despite issuing multiple warnings, the authorities failed to install early warning systems.

“Multiple studies, including one by the commission, had cautioned the state authorities about the GLOF hazard in the upper Teesta River region. We currently have one flood forecasting station 20 km upstream of Chungthang. More stations can be installed if the state submits a proposal,” a CWC official said on condition of anonymity.

According to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), the disaster has killed at least 22 people, including seven army jawans, whereas 103 others are missing.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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A research conducted by the Central Water Commission back in 2015 has now grabbed headlines after flash floods in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim wreaked havoc claiming lives of at least 22 people.

A research conducted by the Central Water Commission back in 2015 has now grabbed headlines after flash floods in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim wreaked havoc claiming lives of at least 22 people. As per news agency PTI reports, the study had clearly warned the state government that most of the hydropower projects on the Teesta river are extremely prone to such events. A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), which took place in parts of Lhonak Lake, lead to a rapid rise in water levels with very high velocities downstream along the Teesta River Basin in the early hours of Oct 4. The CWC analysis, titled “Glacial Lake Outburst Flood–South Lhonak System in Teesta River Basin”, was aimed at studying the impact of GLOF in vulnerable areas and the hydropower projects on the river. CWC investigators found out that GLOFs in glacial lakes in the river basin could lead to extreme flash floods downstream, affecting areas like Lachen, Chungthang, Dikchu, Singtam, Manipal, Rangpo, Bara Mungwa villages, and the entirety of hydropower projects Teesta I to VI along a 175-km stretch of the river. The 2015 research also predicted a probable increase in the river’s water level by 4.45 metres due to a GLOF at South Lhonak Lake. Also read: Explained | Is Sikkim flash flood not caused by cloud burst but glacial lake outburst? It assessed that the lake could release water at a rate of 6,210 cubic metres per second, which could reach Chungthang and the Teesta III projects within two hours. Surprisingly, the study had also underlined the need for the hydropower project authorities to take the findings into consideration and accordingly develop mechanisms for close monitoring of the lakes. According to news agency PTI reports, experts say that despite issuing multiple warnings, the authorities failed to install early warning systems. “Multiple studies, including one by the commission, had cautioned the state authorities about the GLOF hazard in the upper Teesta River region. We currently have one flood forecasting station 20 km upstream of Chungthang. More stations can be installed if the state submits a proposal,” a CWC official said on condition of anonymity. According to the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), the disaster has killed at least 22 people, including seven army jawans, whereas 103 others are missing. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Sikkim flash floods: Central Water Commission’s study alerted authorities about lake outburst in 2015

A new study has revealed that nearly 15 million people across the world are at risk of catastrophic flooding from melting mountain glaciers. With temperatures across the planet increasing due to global warming, the glaciers melt and form glacial lakes.

A new study has revealed that nearly 15 million people across the world are at risk of catastrophic flooding from melting mountain glaciers. With temperatures across the planet increasing due to global warming, the glaciers melt and form glacial lakes. The increase in the volume of meltwater in such lakes threatens the population living nearby such bodies. The study, conducted by Newcastle University and published in the journal Nature Communications assessed the living conditions of the people living downstream from the glacial lakes. 'There are a large number of people globally exposed to the impacts of these floods. It could happen at any point - that's what makes them particularly dangerous, because it's hard to predict exactly when they will happen," said the authors of the study. Pakistan: Bridge in Northern Pakistan collapses after glacial lake outburst × They added that people living in India, Pakistan, China and Peru faced the greatest threat. In Asia, around a million people lived within a 10-kilometre radius of a glacial lake. Since the onset of the 20th century, thousand of glacial lakes have been formed. These water bodies often are contained behind natural dams viz. rocks and debris in high mountains. However, there's only so much protection the mountainous terrain can provide. The 2013 Kedarnath floods in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand that took the lives of over 6,000 was caused by the flooding of a glacial lake. Record unseasonal monsoon rains and cloud burst added to the glacier lake outburst. Overall, the world's glaciers have lost 332 gigatonnes of glacier ice every year between 2006 and 2016. Since 1990, the number of glacial lakes across the world has increased by 50 per cent. According to reports, over 2,800 glacial floods have been observed so far and 12,000 have lost their lives. If humans do not control their habits and continue to contribute to climate change, glacial floods may become a common theme in the coming years. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Millions at risk due to flooding from melting mountain glaciers: Report

A bridge in northern Pakistan collapsed after a Shisper glacial lake outburst caused by a recent heatwave due to which huge amounts of water was released into the stream and surrounding areas.

Pakistan: Bridge in Northern Pakistan collapses after glacial lake outburst