📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Vyacheslav Argenberg
Science
IIT Mandi study flags nine Himalayan glacial lakes as critical amid rapid expansion
✍️ mid-day.com
🗓 03 Sep 2026, 07:32 AM
👁 4
Research by IIT Mandi identifies at least nine Himalayan lakes that have become critical as they swell because of accelerating glacial melt.
A recent investigation by the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi has highlighted the growing vulnerability of several high‑altitude lakes in the Himalayas. The study catalogues at least nine lakes whose water levels are rising sharply as glaciers melt faster than previously recorded.
Scientists warn that the rapid expansion of these water bodies can increase the risk of outburst floods, posing threats to downstream communities and ecosystems. The research team used satellite imagery and on‑ground measurements to track changes over the past decade.
The findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and the development of early‑warning systems in the region. Authorities are urged to integrate the data into disaster‑management plans to mitigate potential hazards.
IIT Mandi plans to extend its monitoring network to cover more lakes across the Himalayan belt, aiming to provide policymakers with actionable insights on climate‑induced water‑related risks.
Scientists warn that the rapid expansion of these water bodies can increase the risk of outburst floods, posing threats to downstream communities and ecosystems. The research team used satellite imagery and on‑ground measurements to track changes over the past decade.
The findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and the development of early‑warning systems in the region. Authorities are urged to integrate the data into disaster‑management plans to mitigate potential hazards.
IIT Mandi plans to extend its monitoring network to cover more lakes across the Himalayan belt, aiming to provide policymakers with actionable insights on climate‑induced water‑related risks.