Glacier bursts-triggered debris flow and flash flood in Rishi and Dhauli Ganga valleys: A study on its causes and consequences

A catastrophic glacier outburst on February 7, 2021, triggered devastating debris flows and flash floods in the Rishi and Dhauli Ganga valleys of Uttarakhand, India, causing approximately Rs. 20,000 million in damages and 205 fatalities. This rare but highly destructive event, linked to the Nanda Devi glacier, highlighted the severe consequences of meteorological and geophysical hazards in the Himalayas. The study identifies key drivers behind these disasters and their broader impacts, including land degradation, soil loss, and landslide scars. It also proposes policy measures to mitigate future casualties from such natural hazard processes.

Sati, V. P. (2022). Glacier bursts-triggered debris flow and flash flood in Rishi and Dhauli Ganga valleys: A study on its causes and consequences. Natural Hazards Research, 2(1), 33–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nhres.2022.01.001