Accelerated glacier retreat in Ladakh could spawn three glacial lakes, Wadia Institute study says

Subject: Geography

Section: Places in news

Context:

A new study has found that the Parachik glacier in Ladakh has rapidly retreated, with its pace increasing significantly from an average of two metres per year between 1971 and 1999 to 20 meters per year between 2015 and 2021.

Study findings:

A tool called the Himalayan Glacier Thickness Mapper (HIGTHIM) was used to estimate the depth, water volume of the potential lakes, and other topographical features of the glacier.
If the glacier continues to melt at its current pace, it could lead to the formation of three glacial lakes, increasing the region’s risk to glacial lake outburst floods.
Additionally, water scarcity issues might worsen as glaciers, vital water sources, continue to diminish due to accelerated retreat.
Mounting evidence suggests the Himalayan glacial retreat poses significant threats, warranting better glacier management strategies.

Parachik glacier:

Suru river valley, where the Parachik glacier is located, has 252 glaciers covering 11% of the river’s catchment area.
The Parachik glacier, spanning 53 square kilometers in the southern Zanskar ranges, supplies water to the Suru river.
The Suru river is a tributary of the Indus and is considered a major source of water for Kargil district in Ladakh.
Observations reveal concerning signs of the glacier’s deterioration, including regular ice-collapsing events and retreat.

Glacier management:

This may affect the water supply to the Indus basin.
Glaciers in the Karakoram mountain range have also started to retreat at a faster rate.
Future water supply issues due to glacier retreat could also force water sharing agreements like the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan to be re-evaluated.