Satellite Analysis Reveals Expansion of Lakes in Arunachal Pradesh
Recent satellite imagery shows big changes in number of lakes in Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh. Four lakes have grown larger over past decade. Raises questions about flooding risks tied to melting glaciers in eastern Himalayas. Findings from Suhora Technologies, geospatial intelligence firm in Noida.
Study focused on five lakes in specific basin,flagged as potential hazards . Research didn't appear in academic journals but used satellite data from 2016 to mid-June 2026 to track glacial retreat and water retention. Sanhapo Lake,in particular,saw significant growth,expanding from 78.07 hectares in 2019 to 88.81 hectares by mid-2026.
Though observations highlight worrying trends in lake growth,Suhora Technologies advised against assuming immediate flooding threats. They called for ongoing observation to assess real risk levels. Two other lakes labeled “very high-risk” grew by about one hectare each,while Dharkha Tso showed gradual expansion. Meanwhile, one lake remained stable.
Amit Kumar,co-founder and COO of Suhora Technologies, emphasized satellite monitoring's importance in remote areas. He stressed understanding lake size changes is crucial, especially with monsoon season nearing. “Ongoing monitoring of glacial lakes is increasingly critical,” he said.
Glaciologist Anil Kulkarni from Divecha Centre for Climate Change at Indian Institute of Science commented that while lake growth is concerning,it's not an immediate disaster signal. He noted multiple factors like geological features and landslide risks affect lake stability. “An increase in area over a decade cannot solely determine the level of threat a lake poses,” he remarked.
Concerns over Himalayan glacial risks heightened after Sikkim disaster in October 2023,when flooding hit after South Lhonak Lake breach. NDMA launched program to tackle glacial lake outburst floods, identifying 189 lakes for detailed monitoring. Aims to implement hazard assessments,set up automated monitoring, and create early-warning networks.
More than 900 glacial lakes and water bodies now under satellite watch. Though progress made in spotting dangerous lakes, Kulkarni questioned how findings translate into action for risk mitigation. “How do we effectively lower the threat to mountain communities and infrastructure?” he asked…
