Glacial Breach Triggered Floods in Chamoli

 After the glacier broke, the Alaknanda River in the Chamoli region of Uttarakhand caused avalanches and flash floods.

Highlights:

♦ The Snow and Avalanche Research Institute (SASE) is investigating the matter. SASE works under the leadership of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The exact cause of the flooding is unclear.

♦ Experts point out that this avalanche may be caused by the rupture of a glacier. The destruction of the glacier also destroyed a lake in the village of Raini in the Chamoli region. Raini village is located on the border of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.

♦ This destruction caused the water level of Dhauliganga and one of the tributaries of Dhauliganga to rise. The avalanche destroyed the Rishi Ganga hydel plants on the Rishiganga River.

♦ The Alaknanda River is the Himalayan River in Uttarakhand. It is one of the two main sources of the Ganges. The other is Bhagirathi. The Alaknanda River is also known as the source of the Ganges due to its large length and flow. But in Indian mythology and culture, Bhagirathi is called the source of the Ganges.

♦ Alaknanda has five main tributaries, followed by Dhauliganga River, Nandakini River, Pindar River, Mandakini River and Bhagirathi River. They all rose up in the mountains of northern Uttarakhand. Due to the high level of rafting, it is one of the best rafting rivers in the world.

♦ In Vishnuprayag, the Dhauliganga River merges with the Alaknanda River. In Nandaprayag, the Nandakini River meets Alaknanda. In Karnaprayag, the Pindar River meets Alaknanda. In Rudraprayag, the Mandakini River meets Alaknanda.

♦ The Bhagirathi River merges with Alaknanda at Devprayag and officially becomes the Ganges. Dhauliganga is one of the six major water sources of the Ganges. This river merges with the Alaknanda River at Vishnuprayag in Joshimath.