Q. With reference to the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), consider the following statements:
1.The Himalayas is the most vulnerable to GLOFs due to its high concentration of glaciers.
2.The sudden flood caused by a GLOF leads to groundwater discharge in urban areas.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanations –
Statement 1 is correct. The Himalayas are particularly susceptible to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) due to their high concentration of glaciers, rapid glacier retreat caused by climate change, and the formation of numerous glacial lakes. These factors, combined with the region’s steep terrain and seismic activity, make it highly vulnerable to such events.
Statement 2 is incorrect. GLOFs primarily result in the sudden release of water from glacial lakes, causing flash floods in downstream rivers and valleys. They do not directly lead to groundwater discharge in urban areas but instead cause catastrophic flooding, infrastructure damage, and loss of life in affected regions.
Source: The Hindu
