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Time of India
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Harsil artificial lake begins to recede, manual drainage underway
Uttarakashi: The temporary lake formed last week in the Kheer Ganga and Til Gad streams, which had posed a threat to downstream settlements and the Gangotri highway, is gradually receding as manual drainage efforts continue. According to the disaster management department, the artificial lake, formed near the Army camp and helipad in Harsil, initially measured about 1,200 metres in length, 150 metres in width and 4 metres in depth. Disaster management officer Shardul Gusain said, "On Saturday morning, large volumes of water were drained, shrinking the lake to about 1,000 metres in length, 120 metres in width and 3.5 metres in depth. Parapets of the highway that had been submerged have also started appearing, raising hopes that the water level is steadily receding." Officials said heavy silt from the upper reaches of the Bhagirathi has been accumulating in the lake along with water, creating tonnes of debris and hampering machine operations. Manual clearance of debris blocking the riverbank is being carried out "on a war footing," with joint efforts from the Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, the DDMA quick response team, the irrigation department and the police. A team of 30 engineers and personnel from Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (UJVNL) and the irrigation department has also been deployed. SDRF and UJVNL teams have cut and removed logs stuck in the lake and are manually channelising water from the shore to improve flow. Two outboard motor (OBM) boats from the NDRF have also been pressed into service, officials said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
India Today
06-08-2025
- Climate
- India Today
Uttarkashi tragedy: Could a glacial lake outburst be behind the catastrophe?
A day after the devastating flash flood in Dharali village, Uttarkashi district, attention is now turning away from the initial cloudburst theory toward a potentially more hazardous phenomenon: a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) or glacier assumptions blamed a cloudburst for the destruction in Uttarkashi, a region frequently battered by intense monsoon events. However, recent meteorological and satellite data tell a different Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded only light to moderate rainfall in the affected area, vastly below the extreme levels typically associated with cloudburst-triggered flash floods. The heaviest rainfall in the district headquarters measured just 27 mm, far short of cloudburst conditions. The IMD in its Wednesday forecast has said, "Light to moderate rainfall is expected, with isolated very heavy showers likely, especially during the afternoon and night hours." This discrepancy led experts to scrutinise satellite imagery, which revealed a cluster of significant glaciers and at least two glacial lakes located upstream of Dharali, directly above the originating point of the IT BE A GLACIAL LAKE OUTBURST?Scientists now suggest that a sudden release of water from a glacial lake or a glacier collapse upstream could have been the real trigger, leading to an avalanche of debris and water rushing down the Kheer Gad stream and inundating Dharali scenario is reminiscent of the Raini disaster in Chamoli in 2021, where a rock-ice avalanche similarly unleashed a catastrophic flood to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall recorded on August 4 and 5 was between 8 to 10 millimetres. Retired scientist and glaciologist Dr. D.P. Dobhal spoke to stating that the parameters required to classify the event as a cloudburst were not met. "A cloudburst typically means over 100 mm of rainfall in an hour," he explained. "However, IMD data shows that only 8–10 mm of rain was recorded from the night of August 4 till 8:30 AM on August 5. The flash flood occurred later in the afternoon, suggesting that a cloudburst was likely not the cause."On the other hand, Shardul Gusain, District Disaster Management Officer of Uttarkashi, said that three cloudburst incidents were officially recorded — in Dharali, Harsil, and near Sukhi Top. "Initial indications point to cloudbursts as the trigger," he said, adding, "More clarity is expected once new data arrives in the morning. At this point, we cannot rule anything out. The weather was relatively calm the previous day, with only light rainfall. But in the mountains, the weather can change in an instant." WHAT IS A GLACIAL LAKE OUTBURST? A glacial lake outburst flood occurs when water dammed by glacial ice or a moraine breaks free, releasing millions of cubic metres of water in a matter of hours to floods are rapid, powerful, and capable of destroying everything in their paths—villages, roads, bridges, and power plants. These events are particularly concerning for Uttarakhand, which contains more than 1,260 glacial lakes, some flagged as high-risk by India's disaster management authorities.13 most vulnerable glacial lakes catagorised as risk level A by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) are in Uttarakhand. The lakes are prone to GLOFs, the kind of events that have resulted in several disasters in the Himalayan states in the recent rescue operations continue and the scientific investigation deepens, the tragedy in Uttarkashi points to the growing risks posed by climate-driven glacial changes in the fragile Himalayas. Enhanced real-time monitoring of high-altitude glacial lakes and early warning systems are now more critical than ever for the safety of downstream communities.- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Aircraft accident investigation bureau team reaches Uttarkashi to probe chopper crash
Dehradun: A day after six people were killed when a chopper ferrying pilgrims to Gangotri crashed into a gorge near Gangnani village, a team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), a division under the ministry of Civil Aviation, arrived in Uttarkashi on Friday to probe cause behind the multi-member team landed in Dehradun and then flew to Bhatwari helipad, from where they were taken to the crash site. The helicopter wreckage, still lying at the spot, is now the focus of their investigation."The team was taken to the site by SDRF and district officials. They conducted a preliminary investigation and later returned to Dehradun," said Shardul Gusain, Uttarkashi's district disaster management AAIB team is expected to carry out a detailed analysis, including an examination of the wreckage, flight data, and pilot records, to determine the cause of the accident occurred around 8.30 am on Thursday, at a time when the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a weather alert for May 7 and 8 in Uttarkashi. However, what happened between take-off and the crash remains helicopter, a Bell 407, was operated by Ahmedabad-based Aero Trans Service Pvt Ltd . Operation Sindoor PM Modi meets NSA, chiefs of armed forces amid spike in tensions with Pak India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan Several airports in India to be closed till May 15 - check list Among the six killed were five pilgrims and the pilot. One of the victims was Vedavathi Kumari, 48, sister of Anantapur TDP MP Ambica G Lakshminarayana. Her husband, Maktur Bhaskar, 51, who was seated beside her, survived, but is in critical condition at AIIMS A day after six people were killed when a chopper ferrying pilgrims to Gangotri crashed into a gorge near Gangnani village, a team from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), a division under the ministry of Civil Aviation, arrived in Uttarkashi on Friday to probe cause behind the multi-member team landed in Dehradun and then flew to Bhatwari helipad, from where they were taken to the crash site. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo The helicopter wreckage, still lying at the spot, is now the focus of their investigation."The team was taken to the site by SDRF and district officials. They conducted a preliminary investigation and later returned to Dehradun," said Shardul Gusain, Uttarkashi's district disaster management AAIB team is expected to carry out a detailed analysis, including an examination of the wreckage, flight data, and pilot records, to determine the cause of the accident occurred around 8.30 am on Thursday, at a time when the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a weather alert for May 7 and 8 in Uttarkashi. However, what happened between take-off and the crash remains helicopter, a Bell 407, was operated by Ahmedabad-based Aero Trans Service Pvt Ltd. Among the six killed were five pilgrims and the pilot. One of the victims was Vedavathi Kumari, 48, sister of Anantapur TDP MP Ambica G Lakshminarayana. Her husband, Maktur Bhaskar, 51, who was seated beside her, survived, but is in critical condition at AIIMS Rishikesh.
