Mangan, August 21, 2025 — In a significant step towards climate resilience and disaster preparedness, the Government of Sikkim has launched a major scientific expedition to assess Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risks in the Himalayan region of Mangan district. The field operation began on August 20 and will continue until September 10, 2025.
More than 35 experts from six premier national scientific institutes—including the Central Water Commission (CWC), Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Geological Survey of India (GSI), Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM)—are collaborating on the expedition, along with Sikkim University.
They are joined by teams from the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), six key state departments, and members of local communities. Together, this interdisciplinary team is trekking to remote, high-altitude glacial zones to study six high-risk glacial lakes that pose potential threats of flooding.
These technologies will help assess the structural conditions of glacial lakes, identify early warning signs, and gather data to design retention structures and develop real-time early warning systems. The ultimate aim is to safeguard vulnerable downstream communities from future disasters.
The urgency of this expedition is underscored by the devastating South Lhonak glacial flood of 2023, which caused significant damage in North Sikkim and highlighted the need for improved glacial monitoring and early intervention.
In a step towards inter-state knowledge sharing, a five-member delegation from the Himachal Pradesh Disaster Management Authority is also participating in the expedition. Their involvement is aimed at exposure and field-based training, allowing for the exchange of strategies and disaster mitigation practices between Himalayan states.
The expedition is coordinated by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Sikkim, and marks a landmark collaboration between national scientific bodies, military forces, and local stakeholders. It not only reflects the state’s commitment to addressing climate challenges but also reinforces the need for proactive science-based policymaking in vulnerable mountainous regions.
As glacier melt continues to accelerate due to climate change, Sikkim’s Himalayan GLOF Expedition is expected to serve as a model for climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction—both regionally and nationally.
