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News: A satellite-based assessment reported expansion of glacial lakes in the Mago Chu Basin, raising concerns about possible GLOF risk.
About Mago Chu River
- Location: It is located in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh and originates near Mago village.
- Formation: It is formed near Mago village by the confluence of the Goshu Chu and Dungma Chu rivers.
- Course: Mago Chu joins the Tsona Chu near Kyelatongbo to form the Tawang Chu.
- Tributaries: The major tributaries of the Mago Chu river system are Goshu Chu, Dungma Chu, Gorjo Chu, and Tsona Chu.
- Key Aspects:
- Part of Manas River system: Tawang Chu later receives the Nuranang River and Nyamjang Chu before entering Bhutan and eventually contributing to the Manas River system.
- High-Altitude Basin: The river basin includes high-altitude glacial regions where glacier movement and glacial lakes are being monitored.
- Glacial Lake Monitoring Area: The Mago Chu basin contains a potentially unstable proglacial lake that is being monitored due to concerns about a possible GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood).
About GLOF Risk
- Growing Concern in Mago Chu Basin: Scientists identified a potentially unstable proglacial lake within the Mago Chu basin and warned that accumulated meltwater and unstable moraine debris could trigger a sudden lake breach.
- Nature of GLOF: A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood occurs when a weak moraine dam holding glacial lake water fails and suddenly releases a large volume of water downstream.
- Potential Impact: Such floods can carry debris and boulders, damage hydropower projects, and threaten downstream settlements, river systems, property, and human lives.
