Lahaul Spiti ramps up flood defenses as Ghepan glacial lake swells dramatically
Authorities in Lahaul Spiti have begun marking highest flood levels and installing an early-warning system after Ghepan Lake grew from 36.5 to 101.3 hectares in 13 years.
In the wake of recent Nepal floods, Lahaul Spiti officials have launched a comprehensive preparedness drive for a possible glacial lake outburst flood from Ghepan Lake, which has risen from 36.5 to 101.3 hectares between 1989 and 2022. The district disaster management authority, led by Kiran Bhadana, has identified 32 residential areas from Sissu to the Sansari border and is marking 128 sites as potential highest flood level points under the National Disaster Management Authority.
An early-warning system built by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing will be installed at the lake this month after successful testing at Sissu Lake. A five-member Geological Survey of India team will spend two weeks measuring lake depth, flow and related meteorological data, while a separate local team will directly assess current conditions. Rapid-response squads have been formed in Sissu and Shashin, and a district-level GLOF Monitoring Committee comprising officials, mountaineers and experts will conduct regular inspections.
Why it matters
Rapid action could prevent loss of life and property if the rapidly expanding glacial lake triggers a flood downstream.
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