Satellite images taken by the National Remote Sensing Centre after the flash flood in Uttarakhand’s upper regions show that debris has accumulated in and around Dharali, that roads, buildings, and plantations have vanished, and that a section of the Bhagirathi and Kheer Ganga rivers is covered in sediments and debris. Also flooded are what look like orchards and a bridge.
According to experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), they were investigating the possibility that the floods were caused by a glacier collapse upstream of the channel that feeds the Kheer Ganga.
According to Anil Kulkarni, a distinguished visiting scientist at the Divecha Centre for Climate Change at the Indian Institute of Science, previous satellite imagery has aided in our understanding of the dynamics of glaciers.
The glaciated landscape is where the Kheer Ganga River begins. Analysis was done on September 2022 satellite imagery. Since most of the snow had melted by this point, glacier ice and landforms could be clearly seen, making the imagery helpful.
According to him, satellite imagery shows that the majority of the glacier ice has melted. There is a very small area where glacier ice is visible, he added. In a note on Thursday, Kulkarni stated, “… a well-developed deglaciated valley can be seen.”
He also mentioned that a small river flows between the side wall and the end moraine, which borders the outlet of the deglaciated valley. A meandering stream pattern was seen upstream of the end moraine.
It denotes both level ground and the former presence of a lake. “Kulkarni said.” “The lake may have erupted, causing the flash flood mud flow.”
To learn more about the glacier that feeds Kheer Ganga, NDMA officials were waiting for satellite imagery free of clouds. On Wednesday, NDMA advisor (mitigation) Safi Ahsan Rizvi stated, “There are indications that a glacial snout at 6700 m detached some days ago.” Large deposits of glacio-fluvial debris were gathered.
The debris is thought to have been loosened by the recent days of nonstop rain. Due to the steep gradient up to Dharali, the enormous collection of debris accelerated as it cascaded downstream with water in the Kheer Ganga after reaching critical mass.
According to Rizvi, it is evident that the Dharali catchment does not contain any of the 195 glacial lakes that are at risk. According to the 2023 National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) Atlas, the Himalayas are home to 7500 glacial lakes larger than 0.25 hectares. 195 of these were classified as at-risk by NDMA.
Disclaimer:
The information in this article is based on publicly available news reports, satellite data, and expert commentary at the time of writing. Details about the Uttarakhand floods, rescue operations, and potential causes may evolve as new information becomes available. Readers are advised to follow official government sources and local authorities for the most accurate and up-to-date updates. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional or emergency guidance.
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