Researchers wrap sixth expedition to Arunachal Pradesh glacier

Itanagar: A joint scientific team finished their sixth expedition to the Khangri Glacier in the Mago Chu Basin, Arunachal Pradesh. The mission began October 10, 2026. Experts from the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies, and the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology led the work. They spent their time monitoring glaciers, surveying lakes, and checking the high-altitude cryosphere.

The team set up a new HydroMAT site at the Sangnya Nekhu, or Blue, Lake outlet. They used a sonar-equipped Apache boat to run a bathymetric survey. They also measured surface ablation to gauge ice loss. To keep tabs on future changes, they installed four bamboo stakes across the glacier surface. The team also conducted aerial surveys of four lakes flagged by the National Disaster Management Authority as Risk Type A and B.

These investigations have run for four years. The project tracks glacier mass, surface characteristics, and how the local cryosphere reacts to climate change. Scientists are working to "improve understanding of glacier dynamics" through these ongoing efforts. This latest trip marks a major milestone for the regional research program backed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Arunachal Pradesh government.