Glacial lake outburst flood hazards in Hindukush, Karakoram and Himalayan ranges of Pakistan: Implications and risk analysis

Abstract

One of the spectacular effects of recent atmospheric warming in the Himalayan region has been the creation of meltwater lakes on the lower sections of many glaciers. Climate change is likely to exacerbate further some of these natural hazards such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which can cause major social and economic damage for large populations living in the Himalayan region. Thirty-five destructive outburst floods have been recorded for the Karakoram Range in the past 200 years. Systematic application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) has revealed the formation of about 2420 glacial lakes in the Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalaya (HKH) Region of Pakistan, among which 52 lakes are characterized as potentially dangerous GLOF hazards. About 62% of the GLOF lakes belong to End Moraine Dammed type and 25% to Cirque type. Due to poor livelihood conditions, lack of resources and proper management within the system the local communities have a problem in taking effective response measures for risk reduction or mitigation. There is a need to create awareness of flood hazard, coordination and capacity buildings for preparedness and risk reduction among target communities. High resolution satellite data integrated with ground information can be utilized effectively for regular monitoring of these lakes in order to mitigate flood risk hazard in future. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.