Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) In the H...

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) In the Himalayan Kingdom, Bhutan; A Geographical Perspective

Author Name : Ugyen Namgyel

ABSTRACT

With increasing globalization, the negative anthropological impact on the environment seems to be worsening over the years. Due to increasing global temperature, snow lines are retreating and already there are evidences of glacial melting in some of the world’s mountain systems. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) is a common natural disaster in many mountainous regions of the world due to melting of the snow. Similarly in a small Himalayan country like Bhutan, Glacial lake outburst floods has been a repeated natural threat since 1957. Bhutan has 2674 glacial lakes, and out of which 25 lakes pose a risk of GLOFs. Till date Bhutan experienced about seven glacial lake outburst floods, however there were minimum damage to life and property. Bhutan being an agrarian society, majority of Bhutan’s population are settled along the fertile river valleys and the hazard of GLOF is very high. In order to adapt to the global issue of climate change, the Bhutanese government has developed a national adaptation program of action (NAPA), under the coordination of national environment commission. This study presents the initiatives taken by the Bhutanese government towards reducing the risk of GLOFs, historical aspects and impacts of GLOFs. 

Key words: Green House Impact, Industrialization, Environment Impact Assessment, Bionomics, Rugged terrain, vulnerability.