Archive · 30 Jul 2025
Nagaland University Studies Himalayan Lake Flood Risks
Imagine big lakes high up in the mountains that could suddenly burst and flood downstream.
Scientists from Nagaland University are studying these lakes in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh to see how likely they are to flood.
They will look closely at some lakes, like Tenbawa Lake, using special tools to measure the lake's depth and shape.
They will also study the land around the lakes.
The goal is to figure out which lakes are most dangerous and how much water could come out if they burst.
The scientists will share their findings with the government so they can prepare and prevent disasters.
Nagaland University is leading a project to assess the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
The project will focus on the potential of Tenbawa Lake in Sikkim and two other lakes in Arunachal Pradesh.
Researchers will use high-resolution data to identify dangerous glacial lakes and analyze geomorphology and slope instability.
Bathymetric surveys and flood modeling will quantify the risk from lake outbursts in the Tawang region.
The research aims to identify ecological risks, knowledge gaps, and assess freshwater resources related to high-altitude lakes.
- Who
- Led by Nagaland University, with support from various institutions.
- What
- A project is developing an inventory and assessment of high-altitude lakes, focusing on GLOF potential.
- When
- Ongoing project.
- Where
- Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the Himalayas.
- Why
- To mitigate the impact of GLOF events and assess ecological risks.
- Lead Institution
- Nagaland University
- Focus Areas
- Tenbawa Lake (Sikkim), glacial lakes in Arunachal Pradesh
- Funding Sources
- Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Principal Investigator
- Dr. Manasi Debnath
- Techniques
- Bathymetric surveys, 2D/3D flood modeling