WHAT IS GLOF
A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, or GLOF, is sudden release of water from a lake fed by glacier melt that has formed at the side, in front, within, beneath, or on the surface of a glacier.
GLOF can be impounded by moraine complexes, glacial ice or even bedrock and, as a result of breaching, slope failure, overtopping or other failure mechanisms, lead to catastrophic phenomena in the high mountains that threaten people’s lives, livelihoods and regional infrastructure.
CAUSES OF GLOF
The primary trigger for a GLOF is the collapse or breach of a moraine dam or ice dam holding back water in a glacial lake. This can be caused by factors such as glacial melt water, avalanches, or volcanic activity.
PREVENTIVE MEASURE OF GLOF
In general, any one or combination of the following methods may be applied to reduce the volume of water in the lake:
• controlled breaching
• construction of an outlet control structure,
• pumping or siphoning out the water from the lake, and
• making a tunnel through the moraine barrier or under an ice dam.
IMPACT OF GLOF IN KHUMBU
The recent glacial lake outburst flow of 16 August 2024 was due to an outburst flood from Thyanbo glacial lake.
The devastating flood struck Thame, a village in the Khumbu region of Nepal, An initial assessment of damage by the local authorities shows 20 properties have been destroyed, including one school, one health post, five hotels, and many homes.
Thame is a prominent village in the Namche region of Solukhumbu, home to renowned Everest mountaineers and current record holder Kami Rita Sherpa.
The outburst flood surge with the Dudhkoshi River increased more disaster in the lower areas including the popular Everest base camp trek trails. Tok-tok village was affected by the huge increase of river and swept away several homes . The village is not safe to live in the long run. Another major effect is the bridge connecting Solu and Khumbu. The road access to Khumbu is shut down until the bridge or the alternative bridge is made.
IMPACT ON TREKKING FOR 2024, AUTUMN
Thame village is not in main trail to Everest Base Camp Trek route but is a part of three passes trek. The local government are analyzing the alternative trek or walking route. The outburst of glacial lake not only swept away the villagers house but also cut of the networking and electricity. It has been a week ,villagers are living without power.
The power issue might be resolve by mid September. If it does not tourist can feel the impact of it in Namche. A center for cafe, bar and good hotels. Moreover, it is likely the price of meals will increase as the bridge connecting Khumbu by road is collapsed. Trekking trails above Phakding to Namche has been impacted with the disaster. By the tourist season start, local government are already planning on fixing a alternative route.
