Research Projects

The melting of cryospheric reserves in the Indian Himalayan Region has increased the risk of cryosphere-related hazards, such as glacial lake outburst floods, glacier detachments, rock and ice avalanches, glacial debris flows, and hazards posed by melting permafrost and glacial surges. The increasing human population and density in the region make these hazards more significant. The warming climate and increasing population downstream of hazard hotspots increase exposure, vulnerability, and associated risks. These hazards can adversely impact ecosystem services, mountain tourism, water supply, damages to engineering mega-structures, and other socio-economic sectors. This study aims to conduct a detailed field-based investigation on the few benchmark glaciers, permafrost, and snow-laden landscapes that can be potentially hazardous. The research will map the hotspots of cryospheric hazards using medium to high-resolution earth observation data, extensive field observations, and physically-based hydrodynamic and mass-flow models. The proposed research will develop and implement a comprehensive methodological approach to investigate recent and future cryospheric hazards using geospatial modeling in various climatological, geomorphological, and topographic zones of the Indian Himalayan Region. The study will collect and synthesize knowledge about community perception and traditional knowledge to mitigate cryospheric hazards, evaluate the potential of setting up community-based Hazard Early Warning systems (HEWs), and use near real-time remote sensing data, field data, and model simulations over the IHR. This will lead to improved understanding and prediction of cryospheric hazards and help mitigate the risk they pose to downstream communities as cryospheric reserves continue to retreat over the 21st century and beyond.