With accelerating glacial melt in the Himalayas, GLOFs pose a severe hazard downstream. Analyse the causes, impacts, and mitigation strategies related to GLOFs in India.

→ Unconsolidated Himalayan sediments deposit into depression and accumulate melting glacier meltwater of glaciers

I) Causes of Rising GLOFS (1) Increased global warming (Already +1.7°C from Industrial Revn - IPCC) (2) Enhances glacier melting due to increased [latent heat] (3) Rise of [heatwaves] and expanse felt until Himalayas.

(4) Black soot deposition over Himalayas and reduced Albedo (Feedback loop -ve)

(5) Tectonic Instability of Himalayas 5.1 sedimentary origin & unconsolidated. 5.2 Active collision of Indian & Eurasian plates. 5.3 Active suture zones.

II) Impacts of GLOFs (1) Heavy Economic losses. Ex: Teesta Dam (Sikkim) destroyed in seconds. (2) Loss of Hydel Energy potential (Threat to 2070/Net zero target) (3) Flash floods and damage to population and property. (4) Fuels landslide and Earthquake in response (mass movement) (5) Threat to integrity of Himalayan Ecosystem stability (6) Ill impacts on local tribes & communities Ex: Bhutia, Lepcha.

III) Mitigation Strategies for GLOFs: (1) Paris objectives (< 2°C rise target) India's commitments 1.1 50% Renewable Capacity 1.2 45% Reduction @ carbon Intensity, etc. (2) Structural Initiatives 2.1 soil nailing 2.2 Hydroseeding 2.3 Retention walls, etc. (being proposed) (3) nonstructural measures 3.1 mandatory EIA before projects (Mistra committee) 3.2 Zonation mapping, etc.