GLACIAL LAKES AND GLACIAL LAKE OUTBURST FLOOD IN MANDAKINI RIVER BASIN UTTARAKHAND INDIA

Abstract

Recent scientific reported no glacial lakes in Uttarakhand are potentially dangerous. Recent Kedarnath GLOF event 2013 creates a need to update the analysis of glacial lakes hazard assessment in Uttarakhand for understanding the future GLOF hazards. In this study mapping of glacial lakes and their vulnerability analysis carried out using multi spectral and multi date data from LANDSAT satellite imagery ranging from 1977 to 2017. Mapping of glacial lakes done using a semi-automatic 4 step procedure with the help of image enhancement techniques like NDWI, NDSI and natural colour and false colour image of satellite data for visual interpretation of glacial lakes. 1-dimensional Dam breach modelling has performed in this study with the help of HEC-RAS version 5.0.7 the required geometric data derived using digital elevation models (DEM). The DEM data (ASTER GDEM version 3,) is of 15 m spatial resolution and is obtained from NASA: Earth data, National Aeronautics Space Organization (NASA). The glacial lakes mapping, their vulnerability analysis and dam breach modelling can help risk evaluation, downstream spatial planning for hydroelectric power project or river valley project and a proper or better future plan for GLOF hazards