Dharali is an indicator of a Himalayan crisis that needs urgent national attention

Once again, a tragedy similar to the Kedarnath disaster has struck—this time in Dharali. The recent incident bears a haunting resemblance to what happened in 2013. In both cases, a glacial lake formed at a high altitude, and for reasons yet unclear—possibly rainfall or structural failure—the lake burst, causing massive destruction downstream.

Lives have been lost, and several people are still missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing. More than 50 hotels, homestays, and many residential buildings have been severely damaged. The critical question now is: why does this continue to happen?

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there was no extreme rainfall or cloudburst in the area that could have triggered a flash flood. This indicates a different cause: a glacial lake, formed due to melting glaciers, likely burst and led to the disaster. The consequences are in front of us—yet again—and we must interpret them seriously, because repeated warnings have gone unheeded.

The larger issue must be understood in the context of global warming and climate change. This is not simply about local development in the mountains. The root cause lies in global actions—urban expansion, increasing energy consumption, and rising carbon emissions. These have contributed to the warming of the planet, leading to rapid glacial melt across the Himalayas.

One of the alarming consequences of this warming is the formation of unstable glacial lakes. Unfortunately, we do not yet have an accurate database of how many glaciers have turned into lakes or where these lakes exist. This lack of information puts entire communities at risk. We must urgently study the ecology of higher altitudes to prevent further disasters.

Moisture from ocean evaporation rises through wind currents from lower to higher altitudes. As the vapours ascend and meet cold conditions, they turn into precipitation. In certain valley structures, this leads to intense rainfall or even cloudbursts. However, in Dharali’s case, no such rainfall occurred. The problem lay in an existing glacial lake, which likely burst due to internal pressure or minor weather disturbances.

What happened at higher altitudes may not have been visible or felt in the valleys below. But it’s clear that such lakes, formed by glacial melt, are becoming ticking time bombs. We must act before more lives are lost.

We need a comprehensive study to identify all glaciers that have turned into lakes—especially where settlements lie downstream. We must assess the size, volume, and vulnerability of each glacial lake.

We must also study the flow routes of water emerging from these lakes. Many of them eventually merge into larger river systems. Settlements around these streams should be carefully evaluated or even relocated to safer zones. This is crucial because these areas were once considered safe, and communities have lived there for generations without facing such threats. But the climate has changed, and so must our approach.

In areas too close to dangerous glacial lakes or water streams, communities should be given the option and support to shift to safer land. Disaster preparedness must include planning based on potential lake-burst scenarios. Settlements must be designed or realigned to avoid paths of possible glacial flooding.

This is the time to recognise that the Himalayas will be the first victims of global climate change. What was once considered permanent and stable—glaciers, valleys, river routes—is now becoming increasingly unstable. Tragically, such reports are often ignored until disaster strikes.

Kedarnath was a warning. Sikkim was another. Himachal Pradesh has already suffered, and now, Dharali marks a second painful reminder in Uttarakhand. This is not just about one state or one region—it is a Himalayan crisis that needs urgent national attention.

The Prime Minister’s Office and other central agencies must take serious note. A national-level strategy is needed to monitor glacial lakes, assess risks, and plan climate-resilient settlements across the Himalayan belt.

We can no longer control the global forces that have triggered this crisis, but we can still manage how we live with them. Our urban planning, infrastructure design, and settlement policies must all reflect the new realities of climate change.

The Himalayan states need support, not just in disaster relief but in long-term scientific studies, data collection, real-time monitoring systems, and community preparedness. Without such intervention, these tragedies will continue to repeat.

Let us not wait for another disaster. It is time to act, with urgency and responsibility, to protect lives, livelihoods, and the fragile ecology of the Himalayas.

 Anil P Joshi is the founder of Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization  (HESCO). He has spent over 40 years promoting sustainable development in the Himalayan region

Views expressed are the author’s own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth