After a part of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off at Joshimath in Uttarkhand near the Rishi Ganga power project leading to a massive flood in Dhauli Ganga river, the state government has issued helpline numbers for people stranded in those affected areas.
What is glacial burst?
These rare instances occur when water dammed by a glacier or moraine is released. The glacier containing the body of water melts and overflows the glacier.
Why does a glacier break?
Glaciers break can happen due to erosion, a buildup of water pressure, an avalanche of rock or heavy snow, an earthquake or cryoseism, volcanic eruptions under the ice.
It can also happen after a massive displacement of water in a glacial lake when a large portion of an adjacent glacier collapses into it.
The direct causes of glacial lake outbursts are earthquake, heavy rainfall/snowmelt, long-term dam degradation, etc.
Several feared missing
Over 150 people have lost their lives and over 150 are missing…