Record melting of Khangri Glacier in Arunachal's Tawang sparks alarm, scientists warn of GLOF risk at Rani lake

The Khangri Glacier in Tawang’s Gorichen mountain region is witnessing an unprecedented rate of melting, raising serious concerns among scientists about potential hazards to downstream communities and even global sea level rise.

According to findings from the Centre for Earth Sciences & Himalayan Studies (CES&HS), led by Director Tana Tage, satellite-based surveys using Sentinel-2 data (2016–2025) revealed rapid glacier retreat alongside the expansion of several proglacial lakes under the Mago Chu Basin. The most critical among these is Rani Lake, a high-altitude glacial lake now flagged as highly vulnerable to a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).

During recent expeditions, researchers measured 1.5 metres of ice melt using vertical stakes, a figure that underscores the severity of climate-induced glacier shrinkage. Scientists warn that such melting accelerates the formation of unstable lakes, which, if breached, could unleash sudden and devastating floods in downstream settlements.

“Rani Lake has emerged as a major concern due to its expanding volume and unstable conditions. A sudden outburst could trigger catastrophic flooding,” CES&HS officials noted.

The study emphasizes the urgent need for long-term monitoring systems, satellite-based alerts, and real-time early warning mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable communities. Researchers also called for disaster preparedness plans at both regional and national levels, highlighting that such glacial changes are not only a local issue but part of a global climate crisis with implications for coastal cities worldwide.

The findings add to mounting evidence that rising global temperatures are rapidly reshaping the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, intensifying the risks of GLOFs, landslides, and water security crises across the region