68 Potentially Dangerous Glacial Lakes Identified in Jammu Kashmir: Govt

SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has identified 68 potentially dangerous glacial lakes (PDGLs) across the Union Territory and acknowledged an increasing risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in Kishtwar, Ganderbal, Kulgam and Anantnag, citing rising temperatures, accelerated glacier melt and expansion of glacial lakes.

The information was provided by the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (DMRRR) in response to an unstarred question, D. No. 1/6/101, raised by MLA Tanvir Sadiq regarding the risk of GLOFs in JK.

According to the government, the University of Kashmir has identified 616 glacial lakes across 12 districts, covering a combined area of 28.62 square kilometres. Of these, 68 have been classified as potentially dangerous based on criteria established by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) has separately mapped 546 glacial lakes measuring 0.25 hectares or more. The government also said the Central Water Commission, State Disaster authorities and IITs have mapped and ranked high-risk or highly susceptible lakes, including Gangabal, Kousar Nag, Harnag, Mundiksar, Hangu Lake, Boud Sar and Sheshnag.

The government said a Core Committee was constituted through Government Order No. 71-JK(DMRRR) dated September 24, 2024, to undertake specific studies and measures concerning high-risk glacial lakes. The committee subsequently placed 24 high-priority lakes into Categories A, B and C after assessing them against 17 risk parameters.

To establish a real-time monitoring and early warning mechanism, the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has been nominated as the lead technical agency for J&K. A Memorandum of Agreement with C-DAC has been prepared and is under process.

Once finalised, the agreement is expected to provide for water-level monitoring systems using sensor buoys with satellite communication, automatic weather stations equipped to record temperature, humidity, wind and snow depth, and Glacial Lake Vision Units with camera modules and deformation-detection equipment.

The proposed system will also include a web portal and Spatial Decision Support System for real-time surveillance and dissemination of alerts.

A separate UT-level Focused GLOF Monitoring Committee (FGMC), headed by the Principal Secretary, Home Department, was constituted through Government Order No. 930-JK(GAD) of 2024 dated April 4, 2024. It has been tasked with coordinating glacial lake surveillance, satellite-based monitoring, field expeditions, risk assessment and mitigation measures.

The committee has held five meetings so far.

At its first meeting on April 24, 2024, C-DAC was nominated as the lead technical agency for advising on and implementing GLOF mitigation measures and undertaking expeditions to high-risk lakes. The meeting also decided to conduct aerial or helicopter reconnaissance along the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra routes to assess GLOF, landslide and avalanche risks. The Geological Survey of India was asked to provide relevant landslide vulnerability assessments, while the classification of glacial lakes was taken up with the NDMA.

At the second meeting on July 4, 2024, authorities decided to adopt standardised categories in line with NDMA criteria and prepare an inventory of GLOF-vulnerable lakes based on hazard profiles, risk assessments and geographical factors. A joint technical exercise involving the University of Kashmir, C-DAC and NDMA was proposed to finalise the list of high-threat lakes, along with reconnaissance expeditions to identified high-risk sites.

The third meeting, held on September 12, 2024, resulted in the formation of a Core Sub-Committee headed by C-DAC to establish uniform criteria and finalise high-, medium- and low-risk lake lists.

The government said the meeting also stressed the involvement of Aapda Mitras, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Civil Defence in field expeditions and emergency response planning. Measures including Panchayati Raj Institution sensitisation, community awareness, preparation of awareness material in local languages, and integration of GLOF data into the Disaster Risk Database and Decision Support System were also taken up.

At the fourth meeting on December 2, 2024, an expert expedition to Kousar Nag from the Aharbal side was proposed. District Disaster Management Authority consultants were tasked with preparing district-wise GLOF action plans and organising regular mock drills involving Aapda Mitras and local communities.

The meeting also reviewed the proposed agreement with C-DAC, preparation of a detailed project report for the GLOF early warning system, identification of funding sources, and strengthening of manpower and capacity at Emergency Operations Centres for handling early warning data.

At the fifth meeting on August 28, 2025, the committee decided that the Core Committee would finalise the institutions and time-bound schedules for scientific expeditions to all identified high-risk glacial lakes. The government said the early warning system and automatic weather station agreement with C-DAC was to be finalised on priority.

District-level teams were also directed to complete downstream Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessments within one month and receive the required technical training. The DDMAs were asked to formulate and implement actionable measures for reducing GLOF risks.

The government further said coordination had begun with local ITBP and Armed Forces outposts located near high-risk lakes so that manual early warning networks could be operated to alert downstream areas in the event of an emergency.

On preparedness and evacuation, the government said DDMAs, with the SDRF and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), are mandated to conduct regular mock drills in vulnerable areas. The exercises are to involve Aapda Mitra volunteers, line departments and local residents.

District authorities have also been directed to prepare GLOF-specific action plans covering downstream risk assessments, mitigation measures and response strategies. These plans are to include mapping of vulnerable villages, hamlets and critical infrastructure, besides identifying safe locations for evacuation.

The government said NDMA’s information pamphlets in local languages and awareness campaigns conducted by the Rural Development Department are being used to educate Panchayati Raj Institutions and downstream communities about evacuation procedures and preparedness for GLOFs.

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