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SURAMYA SHARMAAIR 359· 2025

Question Q.4GS1GS1

What factors can be attributed to the rising incidents of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the Himalayan region? Discuss with examples.

Open scan (p.7)

Introduction

According to ISRO data, glacial lakes have increased by 31% in size in 2011-2022 faced with glaciers melting at 0.6m/year.

20 words

Main Body

According to ISRO data, glacial lakes have increased by 31% in size in 2011-2022 faced with glaciers melting at 0.6m/year. Silt is Himalayan region.

Factors: rising incidents of GLOFs:

[Diagram showing Reduced altitude, Black carbon deposition, Moraine apoasits, Kedarnath, Aikklas, Recent GLOFs]

1Global warming causes glacier melt -> increased area of lakes. eg; 0°C rise is last for decade (IPCC)
2Unbalanced incidents due to size is summer snowfall in hills. eg; Kedarnath disaster.
3Seismicity due to plate tectonics -> leading to shifting of glacial lakes.
4Human activities -> deforestation leading to size in runoffs.
5Kawari induced seismicity and slope dynamics charges.

Steps can be taken for mitigation and adaptation:

1Hazard zonation and mapping of glacial lake (eg; ISRO Atlas).
2Vulnerability mapping in downstream upon.
3Evacuation plans operationalise.

GLOFs pose a serious hazard to human life thus early mitigation measures can reduce Vulnerability.

4Landslides in upper reaches -> blocking flames + deposition -> GLOFs.
5Unconsolidated terminal moraines while in thick casing during heavy precipitations.
6Human activities -> deforestation leading to size in runoffs.
7Kawari induced seismicity and slope dynamics charges.

Steps can be taken for mitigation and adaptation:

1Hazard zonation and mapping of glacial lake (eg; ISRO Atlas).
2Vulnerability mapping in downstream upon.
3Evacuation plans operationalise.

GLOFs pose a serious hazard to human life thus early mitigation measures can reduce Vulnerability.

235 words21 paragraphs

Conclusion

GLOFs pose a serious hazard to human life thus early mitigation measures can reduce Vulnerability.

15 words

Diagram

Diagram showing factors contributing to GLOFs: Reduced altitude, Black carbon deposition, Moraine apoasits, with labels for Kedarnath and Aikklas regions, and Recent GLOFs

  • Clear use of data and statistics from ISRO
  • Good identification of multiple causal factors
  • Practical mitigation strategies mentioned
  • Incorporated recent examples and current data

Topper

SURAMYA SHARMA

AIR 3592025

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

Important Geophysical Phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods

GLOFs in Himalayan Region

Writing Stats

270

Total words

21

Paragraphs

Technical and analytical

Tone