Geospatial technology-based monitoring of HAGL in the context of flash flood: A case study of Rishi Ganga Basin, India

A significant loss of glacier area, amounting to 34.70 km² between 1976 and 2020, has been identified in the Rishi Ganga Basin within Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Uttarakhand, India. This study, leveraging satellite imagery, highlights that out of 106 High Altitude Glacial Lakes (HAGLs) surveyed at altitudes above 4500 meters, 14 are deemed high-risk for future flash floods and landslides. Additionally, a notable decrease of 16–28% in winter snow cover during the decade 2010–2021 has been observed, attributing to unpredictable temperature fluctuations that disrupt freezing and thawing processes. The research underscores the urgency of developing geospatial technology-based early warning systems to mitigate potential disasters, particularly for workers in nearby engineering projects.

Taloor, A. K., Thapliyal, A., Kimothi, S., Kothyari, G. C., & Gupta, S. (2022). Geospatial technology-based monitoring of HAGL in the context of flash flood: A case study of Rishi Ganga Basin, India. Geosystems and Geoenvironment, 1(3), 100049. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geogeo.2022.100049