Study links Himalayan glacier collapse to 2025 flood
A new ISRO study found that the 2025 Dharali flood was sparked by a sudden collapse of an exposed ice patch high up in the Srikanta Glacier.
This event sent millions of kilograms of ice and debris racing downhill, leading to major flooding.
The glacier ice collapsed, creating a massive surge
A chunk of glacier ice (about 0.25 square kilometers and weighing nearly 7 million kilograms) broke loose from over 5,200 meters up.
It tumbled down a steep slope, melting and picking up debris along the way, which created a fast-moving surge that widened the river channel and left behind a huge pile of sediment.
How scientists reached this conclusion
ISRO scientists used satellite images to spot changes before and after the flood.
They also checked rainfall data, which showed there was not any extreme rain or cloudburst at the time, so it really was all about that collapsing ice.
Need for better satellite monitoring in high mountain zones
The study highlights how fragile Himalayan glaciers are becoming as they thin out.
The researchers say we need better satellite monitoring in these high mountain zones to catch early warning signs, to detect precursors and enable early warnings and risk-reduction measures that could help reduce the impacts of similar events.