Located in the Lahaul region of the Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh, Ghepan Lake now has India’s first fully automated Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) early warning system. Keep reading to know what it is and how it can help prevent natural disasters.
Ghepan Lake In Himachal Pradesh Gets A GLOF Warning System
Ghepan Lake in Himachal Pradesh is located at a high altitude of about 4,100 metres above sea level. According to The New Indian Express, the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) early warning system was developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under a pilot project funded by the National Disaster Management Authority.
The system has been designed to continuously monitor the lake’s water level, environmental conditions and changes in its surroundings. But how does it help? Reportedly, the findings will provide disaster management authorities with crucial data for timely risk assessment and help them prepare for natural disasters.
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Lake’s Area Increased By 178% Between 1989 & 2022
According to The New Indian Express, Ghepan Lake’s area increased by 178% between 1989 and 2022, from 36.5 hectares to 101.3 hectares. Plus, it is about 2,464 metres long and 625 metres wide. In 2023, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) alerted the district administration about the lake’s expansion and the increased risk of a glacial lake outburst flood. This helped authorities assess the risks and improve disaster preparedness in advance.
The newly installed system features a buoy-based lake monitoring system, an automated weather station and a glacier vision unit. All three components will monitor changes in the lake and its surroundings. This will help authorities understand changing conditions, identify threats and plan emergency responses.
Climate change can cause glaciers to melt rapidly and result in floods that could hit villages below, giving people little time to escape. The newly installed system aims to prevent just that.
Also Read: Overlooking Lake Pichola, Udaipur Has A Cafe Hidden In A 17th-Century Palace
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Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons/UnpetitproleX
FAQs
Where is Ghepan Lake?
Ghepan Lake is located in the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti district.
How does the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood warning system help?
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood warning system monitors the lake and its surroundings to help authorities assess flood risks and stay prepared for natural disasters.
Where is Sissu?
Sissu is a scenic village in the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh.
