Photo Courtesy: nenews
Itanagar: Authorities in Arunachal Pradesh have stepped up disaster preparedness in the Tawang district following warnings of a potential Glacial Lake Outburst Flood. While recent site inspections show no immediate risk of a disaster, the district disaster management department issued a formal alert after receiving data from the Centre for Earth Science and Himalayan Studies regarding rapid glacier retreat.
The warning centers on the Khangri Glacier and the nearby Neh-Goh Tso lake, located at an altitude of 15,000 feet. Officials shared the advisory with the Indian Army, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and the Border Roads Organisation to ensure a coordinated response. Tawang Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo has urged local residents to remain vigilant and strictly follow all official safety instructions.
Superintendent of Police Tasi Darang advised those living along the Mago Chu and Tawang Chu river systems to keep emergency supplies ready. During a recent field inspection, Assistant Commissioner Thutan Wangchu confirmed that water levels in the lake remain stable. The assessment report concluded that the current outflow exceeds inflow, which prevents dangerous accumulation. According to the report, "water discharge from the lake appeared greater than inflow from glacial melt, indicating limited accumulation and reducing the likelihood of an immediate outburst."
Researchers identified that the rocky channel beneath the lake is stable, making sudden erosion unlikely. Additionally, natural geography in the valleys above Merathang, Jethang, and Mago provides a buffer that could dissipate the force of a sudden surge. Despite these positive findings, officials are calling for continued scientific monitoring to track long-term geological changes in the area.
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