Not a cloudburst? If Uttarkashi didn't see heavy rain, here's what experts say may have caused Dharali's deadly flood
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Uttarakhand's Glacial Lake Risk
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The flash flood that tore through Dharali village in Uttarkashi on Tuesday may not have been caused by a cloudburst, as initially believed. According to experts and scientists studying satellite and meteorological data, the true cause was likely a glacier collapse or a glacial lake outburst.As reported by TOI, researchers found minimal rainfall in the region around the time of the incident, which cast doubt on the cloudburst theory. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded only 6.5mm of rain in Harsil and 11mm in Bhatwari over 24 hours, far below the typical levels associated with cloudburst-triggered floods.Senior scientist at IMD's regional centre Rohit Thapliyal told TOI, "Only very light to light rain was observed in the affected area over 24 hours. The highest rainfall anywhere in Uttarkashi was merely 27mm."Another senior scientist added that such low rainfall amounts were not enough to trigger floods of this scale. 'It suggests a more powerful event like a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) or glacier burst,' the expert explained.TOI accessed satellite images that showed significant glaciers and at least two glacial lakes directly above Dharali. One of these lakes is located just above the Kheer Gad stream, which runs near the village.A scientist told TOI, 'If water was suddenly released due to a glacier collapse or lake burst, it could easily result in a high-energy flash flood, similar to what happened during the Raini disaster in Chamoli back in February 2021.'In the Raini incident, a rock-ice avalanche triggered massive floods, destroying the Rishiganga hydel project and damaging the Tapovan-Vishnugad power plant, with over 200 people losing their lives.According to the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Uttarakhand has over 1,260 glacial lakes, some of which pose major downstream threats. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has flagged 13 of these as high-risk, with five marked as extremely dangerous.Senior geologist and former executive director of the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Authority, Piyoosh Rautela, told TOI, 'Disasters like this happen when water accumulates at higher altitudes and is suddenly released. Heavy rain alone cannot cause such destruction.'As rescue and relief operations continue in Dharali, scientists are now focused on analysing satellite data and field evidence to confirm the exact cause of the disaster.
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