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.

Main Body

In 2021, Kedarnath saw the tragedy of GLOFs taking lives of more than 100 people.

Factors for rising incidents of GLOFs:

1Himalayan tectonic activity: Himalayan region is getting tectonically active. Eurasia and Indian plate coming closer 5mm/year.

2Climate change: changing the weather cycle and melting of glacial water.

3Enhanced weathering: due to diurnal temperature difference → landslides.

4Anthropogenic: changing the slopes and stability of mountains due to construction of infrastructure.

5Increased human pressure on himalaya ecology: breaking the carrying capacity.

6Air and water pollution in Himalayas: deadly to destruction of normal ecology. Check on infrastructure development in fragile ecology.

Way Forward:

Limiting the number of tourists to Himalaya

Community based local solutions like hausing style

EIA before development of any project like DAMS, etc.

Development of early warning and rescue mechanisms.

Himalayas are called the 'Third pole' because they have glaciers which supply fresh water to Indian continent. This protection and preservation is need of the hour.

167 words10 paragraphs4 bullet points

Diagram

Diagram showing factors for rising incidents of GLOFs including Himalayan tectonic activity, climate change, enhanced weathering leading to landslides. GLOF phenomenon shown with glacier, lake, and habitation areas.

Answer continues on next page

Contemporary example (Kedarnath 2021)
Comprehensive list of factors
Includes both natural and anthropogenic causes
Proposes practical solutions
Mentions importance of Himalayas

Open original scan

Page 6

Topper

VIVEK SINGH

AIR 2762025

Subject & Paper

GS1GS1

Topic

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

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods

Factors Contributing to GLOFs in Himalayas

Writing Stats

167

Total words

Paragraphs

Bullets

Analytical and descriptive

Tone