Jammu, August 31, 2025 – A comprehensive risk assessment has issued a stark warning about the escalating danger of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, highlighting severe threats to human lives, critical infrastructure, and the region’s fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The GLOF Management Plan for Kishtwar 2024-25, released recently, identifies multiple high-risk areas and urges immediate action amid accelerating climate change impacts.According to the report, Kishtwar, nestled in the Western Himalayas, hosts 197 glacial lakes – the highest number in Jammu and Kashmir, comprising over one-third of the Union Territory’s total. Rapid glacial retreat due to rising temperatures has led to the formation and expansion of these lakes, heightening the potential for catastrophic outburst floods. “The accelerated retreat of glaciers, driven by rising temperatures, has resulted in the formation and expansion of several glacial lakes in the region, increasing the risk of GLOFs,” the plan states.The most vulnerable tehsils – Padder, Machail, Dachhan, Marwah, and Warwan – face the greatest peril due to their proximity to these lakes.
The Kishtwar High Altitude National Park is also at high risk, with potential floods threatening biodiversity, habitat loss, and water contamination that could disrupt public health and ecological balance. Critical infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, government offices, roads, and major hydroelectric projects like Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar, and Dangduru operated by CVPPL Limited, are flagged as highly susceptible. A GLOF could lead to dam breaches, operational halts, and downstream flooding, exacerbating the disaster.Two lakes, Mundiksar and Hangu, are classified as high-risk, while Palta Pani and an unnamed lake fall into the moderate-risk category. The report explains the scientific triggers: “The presence of multiple glacial lakes at varying elevations and their proximity to each other heightens the risk of outburst floods, which could be triggered by factors such as rapid ice melt, landslides, or seismic activity.”This warning comes in the wake of the devastating flash flood in Chisoti village on August 14, 2025, which claimed over 65 lives, injured hundreds, and left dozens missing. Initially attributed to a cloudburst, investigations suggest it may have been a GLOF event, underscoring the urgent need for preparedness in Kishtwar. The incident disrupted the ongoing Machail Yatra pilgrimage and highlighted the region’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather amplified by climate change.
The plan calls for a multi-pronged mitigation strategy, including:
- Continuous monitoring of high-risk lakes using satellite imagery and ground expeditions.
- Installation of early warning systems to alert communities in real-time.
- Engineering interventions like drainage channels and reinforcement of moraine dams.
- Risk mapping and community training programs to enhance preparedness.
- Long-term measures such as climate-resilient construction, afforestation for slope stabilization, and allocation of District Planning and Development Council funds for GLOF mitigation.
- Ongoing research into glacial dynamics and collaboration with national bodies like the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
“Our commitment to safeguarding lives and infrastructure against GLOFs reflects a broader vision of building a resilient future for Kishtwar,” the report emphasizes. “Through sustained efforts, we can significantly mitigate the risks posed by natural hazards and foster a safe, secure environment for current and future generations.
“Experts from institutions like the Central University of Jammu and the Geological Survey of India have contributed to the assessment through recent expeditions, providing vital data on lake stability and environmental factors. The Jammu and Kashmir government has already formed a Focused Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (FGLOF) Monitoring Committee to oversee these efforts, with plans for a fully functional early warning systemin phased implementation.As Himalayan flood risks intensify due to global warming, this report serves as a critical call to action for policymakers, communities, and stakeholders to prioritize disaster preparedness in Jammu and Kashmir. Failure to act could lead to more tragedies like Chisoti, underscoring the need for urgent, coordinated interventions to protect this ecologically sensitive region.
