616 glacial lakes mapped across 12 districts; 68 flagged as potentially dangerous
Srinagar, Sep 28: The Jammu and Kashmir government has acknowledged the increasing risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the Union Territory due to rising global temperatures, accelerated glacier melt and expansion of glacial lakes, particularly in parts of Kishtwar, Ganderbal, Kulgam and Anantnag.
The government made the disclosure in reply to an Unstarred Question D. No. 1/6/101 raised by MLA Tanvir Sadiq, Member (Zadibal), who sought details regarding the increasing risk of GLOFs in J&K, scientific assessments of vulnerable glacial lakes, early-warning systems, evacuation routes and mock drills.
According to the reply, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the government has taken cognisance of multiple scientific assessments conducted by leading scientific bodies to identify vulnerable glacial lakes and assess the potential downstream impact.
The University of Kashmir has identified 616 glacial lakes across 12 districts, covering an area of 28.62 square kilometres, and delineated 68 Potentially Dangerous Glacial Lakes (PDGLs) as per criteria established by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The government said a Dedicated Core Committee was established through Government Order No. 71-JK(DMRRR) dated September 24, 2024, to focus on specific actions and studies related to high-risk glacial lakes in J&K. The 24 high-priority lakes were subsequently categorised into Category A, Category B and Category C, based on 17 risk parameters.
The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) has also mapped 546 glacial lakes measuring 0.25 hectares or more, while the Central Water Commission (CWC), SDC and IITs have mapped and ranked high-risk/high-susceptibility lakes, including Gangabal, Kousar Nag, Har Nag, Mundikzar, Hangu Lake, Boud Sar and Sheshnag.
Real-time monitoring, early-warning system planned the government said steps are being taken for installation of a real-time monitoring/Early Warning System (EWS) for vulnerable glacial lakes.
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has been unanimously nominated as the Lead Technical Agency for J&K to design and implement an indigenous GIS-based GLOF Early Warning System.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been framed and is under process. Once finalised, the system will include water-level monitoring sensor buoy-based systems with satellite communication, automatic weather stations, glacial lake vision units equipped with camera modules and deformation detection hardware, and a Web Portal & Spatial Decision Support System (SDSS) for real-time monitoring and alert dissemination.
The government further said a UT-level Focused GLOF Monitoring Committee (FGMC) was constituted under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary, Home Department, vide Government Order No. 930-JK(GAD) of 2024 dated April 4, 2024, to oversee glacial lake surveillance, desktop satellite monitoring, field expeditions and risk mitigation.
The FGMC has held five meetings to review and coordinate measures relating to surveillance, risk assessment, mitigation and early warning in respect of GLOFs.
At its first meeting on April 24, 2024, C-DAC was nominated as the Lead Technical Agency for the UT and tasked with executing GLOF mitigation measures and undertaking expeditions to high-risk glacial lakes. It was also decided to undertake aerial/high-resolution reconnaissance of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra routes for assessment of GLOF, landslide and avalanche risks.
At the second meeting on July 4, 2024, it was decided to adopt standardised categorisation of glacial lakes in accordance with NDMA criteria and finalise an inventory of GLOF-vulnerable lakes based on hazard profiles, risk assessments and geographical considerations.
The third meeting on September 12, 2024 constituted a Core Sub-Committee headed by C-DAC to establish uniform criteria and finalise the high-, medium- and low-risk categorisation. Participation of Aapda Mitras, SDRF, ITBP and Civil Defence in field expeditions and emergency response planning was also emphasised.
The meeting also decided to undertake PRI sensitisation and community awareness, prepare vernacular GLOF awareness material and integrate GLOF-related data into the Disaster Risk Database (DRDB) and Decision Support System.
At the fourth meeting on December 2, 2024, an expert expedition to Kounsar Nag from the Arbal side was decided upon. The DDMA Consultants were tasked with preparing district-wise GLOF Action Plans and conducting regular mock drills involving Aapda Mitras and local communities.
At the fifth meeting on August 28, 2025, it was decided that the Core Committee would finalise institutions and time-bound schedules for scientific expeditions to all identified high-risk glacial lakes. The EWS/AWS MoA with C-DAC was also to be finalised on priority.
The government said district-level teams were directed to undertake downstream Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (HVRA) within one month, with requisite technical training, while DDMAs were also directed to formulate and implement actionable GLOF risk-reduction plans.
Coordination has also been initiated with local ITBP and Armed Forces outposts located near high-risk lakes to operate manual EWS networks for immediate alerting to downstream areas.
Mock drills, evacuation plans being prepared On evacuation routes, mock drills, communication systems and district-level response plans, the government said DDMAs, along with SDRF and NDRF, have been mandated to conduct regular mock drills in vulnerable areas to enhance community response readiness.
Regular GLOF mock drills involving Aapda Mitra volunteers, line departments and local populations are to be conducted to strengthen community preparedness.
The District Disaster Management Authorities have also been tasked with preparing comprehensive district-specific GLOF Action Plans covering downstream risk assessments, mitigation measures and customised response strategies.
The government said DDMAs have been directed to map vulnerable downstream villages, hamlets and critical infrastructure while simultaneously identifying safe evacuation locations.
Besides, informative vernacular pamphlets provided by NDMA and localised awareness campaigns led by the Rural Development Department are being conducted to educate local Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and downstream communities on evacuation protocols and GLOF preparedness.
The reply was furnished by the Minister-in-Charge, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. (KNO)
