The 197 glacial lakes in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir are a looming threat to the region as a latest report on Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) has warned of flash flooding that could put grave danger to villages, infrastructure, and the fragile ecosystem.
The glaciers in the Kishtwar Himalayas are retreating at an accelerated pace due to rising temperatures, leading to the creation of new glacial lakes. Existing lakes are also expanding, increasing the water volume held behind unstable moraine dams, the report warns.
Kishtwar district is notable for having the highest number of glacial lakes in Jammu & Kashmir, with a total of 197 lakes, which accounts for 36.08 per cent of all glacial lakes in the Union Territory. These lakes cover an area of approximately 392.64 hectares, representing 13.63 per cent of the total lake area in the district.
According to the GLOF Management Plan for Kishtwar 2024-25, the tehsils of Padder, Machail, Dachhan, Marwah, and Warwan are in peril of being the worst-affected due to their proximity to glacial lakes.
The Padder area recently witnessed the death of 67 pilgrims due to a flash flood. About 40 people are still missing, and 115 were injured in the incident on 14 August.
The official report says that four of these glacial lakes are caused due to ice melt. Mundiksar and Hangu lakes have been categorised as “High Risk”, while Unnamed Lake and Patla Pani Lake have been categorised as “Moderate Risk”.
“The presence of multiple glacial lakes at varying elevations and their proximity to each other heightens the risk of outburst floods, which could be triggered by factors such as rapid ice melt, landslides, or seismic activity. The potential for a GLOF in this region poses a severe threat to downstream communities and infrastructure, necessitating close monitoring and risk management strategies to mitigate the potential impacts of such natural disasters”, the report says.
The ongoing hydroelectric projects under CVPPL Limited—such as Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar, and Dangduru are also at high risk from GLOF events. Rising water levels or potential dam breaches could threaten project infrastructure, disrupt operations, and increase downstream flood risk.
Environmental impacts are also a concern, particularly for the Kishtwar High Altitude National Park, where ecosystem disruption, habitat loss, and biodiversity threats are potential outcomes.
The Chenab River, fed by glaciers and glacial lakes, is sensitive to changes in the region’s hydrology. As lakes expand, there is an increased risk of sudden outflows, which could impact the river’s course and flood surrounding areas. Changes in the water balance of these glacial lakes are continuously monitored, but sudden shifts in water volume due to rapid melting or lake outbursts could lead to devastating floods, the report says.
Suggesting long-term ways to prevent further damage to ecology, the report says, “The escalating risk of GLOFs in Kishtwar, exacerbated by global warming and accelerated glacier melting, underscores the need for robust long-term climate change adaptation strategies tailored to the region’s unique geography”.
“Kishtwar’s high-altitude terrain, combined with operational hydroelectric projects such as Pakal Dul and Kiru, demands focused interventions to mitigate the heightened GLOF risks. Regular monitoring of glaciers and glacial lakes through satellite technology and field assessments is critical for detecting early signs of ice melt and water level fluctuations”.
The Kishtwar Himalayas host significant glaciers, including the Brahma Glacier and the Metwan Glacier. These glaciers serve as crucial water sources for the region, feeding into the local streams that eventually flow into the Marwah River, a major tributary of the Chenab River.