Harnessing data to reduce GLOF risk in the Indian Himalayas
This case study belongs to a compendium of good practices and success stories in disaster risk reduction shared during the 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GP2025). These stories reflect the real-world progress being made by governments, communities, and organizations around the world to reduce risk and build resilience.
In the climate-vulnerable Indian Himalayan Region, the threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) is rising rapidly due to accelerated glacial retreat and melting permafrost. The devastating South Lhonak Lake flood in October 2023 underscored the urgency of coordinated risk management.
In response, the Strengthening Climate Change Adaptation in the Himalayas (SCA-Himalayas) project—supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)—launched a Swiss-Indian initiative focused on data-driven GLOF risk management.
The initiative pioneered the use of detailed hazard and risk assessments, including first-order risk mapping of all glacial lakes in Sikkim and in-depth exposure mapping of high-risk sites such as South Lhonak and Shako Cho. This data laid the foundation for designing an Integrated Early Warning System (EWS), tailored to the specific topography and hazard dynamics of the region.
To bridge long-standing data gaps in this fragile and remote terrain, the initiative deployed state-of-the-art monitoring infrastructure. Automatic stations now provide real-time data on lake water levels, weather conditions, and slope stability. These are complemented by bi-weekly InSAR analysis, with findings shared with Indian authorities to support timely risk assessment and early action. This continuous data stream supports more informed and adaptive decision-making at local and national levels.
Beyond technology, the project emphasized open access to risk information, institutional capacity building, and community engagement. It contributed to the development of national guidelines on GLOF management and influenced India’s new National GLOF Risk Mitigation Programme (which has attracted an investment of CHF 15.5 million).
By embedding high-quality risk data into early warning, planning, and policy, this initiative demonstrates how mountain regions can build resilience from the ground up—through cooperation, knowledge, and informed action.
Source: Submitted via the GP2025 Share Your Success Story survey