ICIMOD news
G. H. Farooqui
February 22, 2010 ICIMOD shares results of glacial lakes studies
(Besishahar, Lamjung and Kathmandu, 22 February 2010)
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is sharing the results of recent field investigations of Thulagi glacial lake with the local community and other stakeholders at a one-day workshop on ‘Sharing of knowledge on Thulagi glacial lake’ on Monday, 22 February 2010 (10 Falgun 2066 B.S.) being held in Besishahar, Lamjung District, Nepal. Stakeholders, partners, and representatives of government and non-government organisations are taking part in the workshop.
Thulagi glacial lake was identified as one of six potentially dangerous glacial lakes in Nepal in a recent desk study carried out by ICIMOD in early 2009 with support from the World Bank (the others being Tsho Rolpa, Imja, Thulagi, Lumding, Lower Barun, and West Chamjang). This study mapped glacial lakes as well as assessing the downstream flood risk and vulnerability in the three river basins in the Nepal Himalayas.
The detailed field investigations were carried out in collaboration with national partners to discover the actual situation on the ground of three of the potentially dangerous lakes: Imja (Dudh Koshi basin), Tsho Rolpa (Tama Koshi basin), and Thulagi (Marshyangdi basin). The teams assessed the stability of the natural moraine dams, the behaviour of the mother glaciers in contact with the lakes, the volume of water stored in the lakes, and potential factors that could trigger an outburst of the lake (GLOF). They analysed the locally available hydro-meteorological data, prepared computer models (maps) of the potential flood risk following a dam break, and assessed the downstream vulnerability.
As the local communities are generally those most at risk, the information is being shared directly so that people concerned can plan accordingly. One of the most important findings of the teams was that the three lakes studied do not pose any immediate risk. Most glacial lakes actually offer considerable benefits for the local communities and should not simply be seen as a threat, but rather as a resource that needs proper care. The workshop in Lamjung will be followed by similar workshops for the communities close to the Imja and Tsho Rolpa lakes.
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