Glacial lakes and other water bodies across Himalayas saw 10.81% area expansion from 2011 to 2024: Report

67 lakes in the high-risk category for potential glacial lake outburst floods

Glacial lakes and other water bodies across the Himalayan region saw a 10.81 per cent increase in area from 2011 to 2024 due to climate change, signalling a heightened risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), according to a government report.

The Central Water Commission's (CWC) report, which was accessed by PTI, states that with a 33.7 per cent expansion of the surface area, the lakes in India experienced an even more substantial rise.

"The total inventory area of glacial lakes within India was 1,962 hectares during the year 2011 which has increased to 2,623 hectares during the year 2024 (September). There is a 33.7 per cent increase in area," the report said. It also identified 67 lakes in India that witnessed an over 40 per cent increase in surface area, placing them in the high-risk category for potential GLOFs. Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh showed the most notable expansions, signalling a heightened risk of GLOFs and the need for intensified monitoring and disaster preparedness.