GLACIAL LAKE OUTBURST FLOOD

WHY IN NEWS:

Recent flooding in Sikkim due to glacial lake outburst

WHAT IS IT?

A GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) is a sudden and potentially catastrophic flood that occurs when water stored behind a glacier or a moraine (a natural accumulation of ice, sand, pebbles, and debris) is released rapidly.

TRIGGERS AND CAUSES

GLOF can be triggered by several reasons, including 

earthquakes, extremely heavy rains and ice avalanches.

Climate change, accompanied by rising global temperatures, has expedited the process of glacier melting thereby exacerbating the situation.

Anthropogenic Reasons- Modern infrastructure like dams and roads in the mountaneous regions intensify geological stresses

VULNERABILTIY

The Himalayan region with its steep slopes are particularly vulnerable

Some Examples of GLOF in India- 

1.Uttarakhand Kedarnath Flash Flood 2013 induced by GLOF in the Chorabari Tal glacial lake.

2. GLOF in Uttarakhand Chamoli District in the Nanda Devi Glacier.