Gangtok, Jul 11 (PTI) The Sikkim government has completed a major scientific expedition as part of the ongoing Comprehensive Hazard Assessment of High-Risk Glacial Lakes in the state.
The expedition was carried out by the Science and Technology Department, in collaboration with the Mines and Geology Department, between June 19 and July 1, according to an official statement on Friday.
The team comprising glaciologists, geographers, geologists and civil engineers focused their research on three high-risk glacial lakes.
These waterbodies – Tikip Lake, Bhaley Pokhari, and Doodh Pokhari – were located in the remote and ecologically sensitive Gaylshing district of west Sikkim.
The statement said that as part of this multidisciplinary field mission, the team conducted Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) surveys at all three lake sites.
These high-resolution geophysical investigations aim to assess the internal structure and stability of the moraine dams that impound these lakes.
Such field-based data is crucial for understanding the underlying geological conditions, especially the presence of buried ice, saturated zones, and potential seepage pathways, which significantly influence the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
In addition to the ERT surveys, the team also repaired certain sensors in the vicinity of the East Rathong Glacier, which provide key atmospheric parameters such as temperature, precipitation, humidity, and wind dynamics, thereby supporting climate monitoring efforts in the high-altitude region.
The findings from this assessment will contribute to the development of data-driven mitigation strategies, enhance the state’s preparedness for climate-induced hazards, and support national-level efforts on disaster risk reduction in the Indian Himalayan Region, the statement said. PTI COR NN
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