There is a threat of disaster in Uttarakhand! Scientists claim – there can be devastation in the lower areas…

13 lakes have been identified in the glaciers in the high Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. According to scientists, out of these, five large lakes formed in the glacier moraine at an altitude of 4,351 to 4,868 meters are very dangerous, which can cause devastation in the lower areas if they break. No one can forget the devastation caused in Kedarnath due to the breaking of the lake formed in the Chaurabari glacier above Kedarnath in June 2013 in Uttarakhand.

Exactly eight years later, in 2021, the flood in Dhauli Ganga due to the breaking of the glacier in Chamoli took the lives of more than 200 people. In Uttarakhand, scientists have identified 13 similar lakes formed in the glacier moraine in the high Himalayan region from Ganga to Dhauliganga and Darma Valley of Pithoragarh. Out of these 13 lakes, five lakes have been placed in the high risk category, which are quite large in size, one in Chamoli and four in Pithoragarh.

Lake formation in the glacier has increased the concern of scientists. Worried by this, the Disaster Management Department is now going to send a team of scientists for scientific testing of Vasudhara Lake on July 2. Uttarakhand Disaster Management Secretary Ranjit Singh says that scientists from JSI, IIRS, NIH will be included in this team. ITBP and NDRF personnel will also be with the team. This team will reach Vasudhara Lake and do a scientific study of the lake. There is also a plan to install necessary equipment there. If necessary, the lake can also be punctured.

There can be devastation in the lower areas

Nityanand Center of Himalayan Studies, Doon University Professor Yashpal Sundriyal says that the lake formed in the glacier moraine contains soil, stones and sand. When this loose sediment flows with water after the lake breaks, it becomes the cause of devastation in the lower areas. As happened in 2013. Due to change in weather, where there used to be snowfall in high altitude areas earlier, it is now raining there. This rain can prove to be more dangerous for these lakes. If the lake breaks due to excessive water pressure, it can bring destruction to the lower areas.

There is more cause for concern for Uttarakhand because most of the settlements here are on the banks of rivers. On the Chardham Yatra route, the roads are running parallel to the rivers. Professor Sundariyal says that the government should make proper monitoring of the lakes as well as keep people on alert in the lower areas as well as make strong arrangements to deal with any emergency.