Multidisciplinary expedition conducts scientific assessment of high-risk Glacial Lakes in North Sikkim

GANGTOK,: The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of Sikkim, successfully conducted a multidisciplinary field expedition titled “Hazard Assessment and Scientific Investigation of High-Risk Glacial Lakes in Mangan District, Sikkim” from July 23 to August 8.

A press release informs that the expedition was undertaken to carry out detailed scientific investigations of selected high-risk glacial lakes in North Sikkim and generate critical baseline information for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) hazard and risk assessment, monitoring and mitigation planning.

The expedition was designed to collect comprehensive bathymetric, geological, geophysical, hydrological, geomorphological and meteorological data from vulnerable glacial lake systems in the upper reaches of Mangan District.

The scientific information generated through the expedition will support detailed assessment of lake characteristics and surrounding terrain, hydrodynamic modelling, identification of potential GLOF hazards, long-term monitoring and the development of lake-specific Comprehensive GLOF Hazard Mitigation Plans for the Government of Sikkim, said the DST.

The multidisciplinary team comprised scientists, researchers and technical personnel from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), Department of Mines and Geology (DMG), Sikkim University, Sikkim Commission on Glacial Hazards, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)-Trivandrum, Central Water Commission (CWC)-Gangtok, Brahmaputra Board- Guwahati and Campbell Scientific, New Delhi.

During the expedition, a combination of advanced scientific techniques and field-based observations was employed, including Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Bathymetric surveys, DGPS surveys, hydrological measurements, geomorphological investigations and deployment of a meteorological monitoring station at Kerang and Goma Chhu.

These investigations generated detailed scientific datasets on the geological, geophysical, hydrological, geomorphological and meteorological characteristics of the selected glacial lake systems.

The expedition also received valuable operational support from the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police. Their assistance and field support during the expedition played an important role in the successful completion of the field programme.

“The scientific information generated during the expedition will serve as an important baseline for systematic monitoring and future hazard assessments of vulnerable glacial lakes in North Sikkim. The findings are expected to strengthen scientific understanding of glacial lake systems and contribute to improved GLOF risk assessment, hydrodynamic modelling, early-warning preparedness and risk-informed mitigation planning,” said the DST.

The successful completion of the expedition marks a significant step towards strengthening science-based assessment and systematic monitoring of glacial lake hazards in Sikkim. The initiative will support evidence-based decision-making and enhance the preparedness and resilience of vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure against GLOF hazards, thereby contributing to broader efforts towards disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in the Sikkim Himalaya, the release mentions.