LUMAMI, NAGALAND:
Nagaland University is spearheading a multi-institutional research project to develop a detailed and near-accurate inventory and stability assessment of high-altitude glacial lakes in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. With increasing climate vulnerabilities in the Eastern Himalayas, this initiative seeks to identify potentially dangerous glacial lakes and assess their breach potential through field validation, satellite imagery, and advanced flood modelling techniques.
The project will specifically examine Tenbawa Lake in Sikkim for its Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) potential and Holocene climate linkages, while two lakes in Arunachal Pradesh, especially in the Tawang region, will be studied for geomorphology, permafrost conditions, slope instability, and downstream impact in case of sudden lake bursts.
Led by Dr. Manasi Debnath, Assistant Professor at the Department of Geography, Nagaland University, the interdisciplinary team includes researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Sikkim University, G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment (Itanagar), and the Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), Delhi.
The project—funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change—also involves 2D/3D flood modelling and bathymetric surveys to simulate potential GLOF scenarios and quantify stored freshwater resources. It is expected to provide key insights for policymakers and urban planners to mitigate disaster risks, particularly in sensitive river valleys and Himalayan catchments.
Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik, emphasized the importance of the research, stating, “Such scientific efforts are vital in addressing environmental vulnerabilities, enhancing our preparedness for natural hazards, and deepening our understanding of past climate dynamics. This project reflects Nagaland University's commitment to societal and ecological resilience in the Northeast.”
The study will also aid the development of Nagaland University’s newly established Glacier and Mountain Research Lab, which will serve as a hub for future research on glacial dynamics, paleoclimate, and hazard modelling in the Eastern Himalaya.
Dr. Debnath added, “Our approach integrates high-resolution satellite data with drone mapping, field assessments, and palaeo-hazard studies. The goal is to generate actionable knowledge for long-term safety, water security, and sustainable development in these ecologically fragile regions.”
By filling critical knowledge gaps and producing detailed inventories, the project hopes to contribute to a regional strategy for managing climate-induced hazards and protecting both ecosystems and communities in the Himalayan belt.
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