Outline of Research Project on Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in the Bhutan Himalayas

Abstract

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) are a major hazard of concern to mountain communities in the Himalayas. In 2009 we started a three-year research project, in which we have conducted evaluation of GLOF risk using satellite data, in-situ surveys, and breach and flood simulations, and have produced a hazard map of possible floods. We have primarily focused on the Mangde-Chhu basin, for which the GLOF hazard level has been believed to be high but information regarding mitigation has been lacking. In this article, we describe the structure and strategy of the research project, and major results obtained to date.