Central Water Commission Flags 432 Expanding Himalayan Glacial Lakes For "Vigorous Monitoring" Amid Rising Flood Risk

More than 400 glacial lakes in India are showing signs of expansion, raising concerns over potential floods and related disasters, the Indian Express reported, citing the Central Water Commission’s (CWC) latest monitoring report.

The report (Monthly Monitoring Report of Glacial Lakes & Water Bodies in the Himalayan Region of Indian River BasinsJune 2025) flagged 432 glacial lakes across Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh for vigorous monitoring because of their potential to unleash sudden and destructive floods.

Out of 2,843 water bodies assessed, 1,435 glacial lakes in the Himalayan region showed expansion in June alone.

Arunachal Pradesh recorded the highest number of expanding lakes at 197, followed by Ladakh (120), Jammu and Kashmir (57), Sikkim (47), Himachal Pradesh (6) and Uttarakhand (5).

The CWC noted that the total area of glacial lakes within India has grown by over 30 per cent in the past decade, from 1,917 hectares in 2011 to 2,508 hectares in June 2025.

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The findings come amid severe weather events across the country.

Heavy rainfall has triggered landslides in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, killing at least seven people.

In Jammu and Kashmir, landslides on the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage route last week left over 30 dead, while Punjab continues to battle extensive flooding after another spell of torrential rain.

Highlighting the risks posed by expanding glacial lakes, the CWC recommended real-time monitoring systems, satellite-based alerts and early-warning mechanisms for downstream communities.

It also called for stronger coordination between the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), state agencies and neighboring countries such as Nepal, Bhutan and China, given that many lakes straddle borders but feed Indian rivers.

The report stressed that shrinking glaciers and expanding glacial lakes are among the most visible impacts of climate change in the Himalayan region, demanding urgent preparedness.

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