https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

How a 2-Km Lake on the Shambhu River in Uttarakhand Drained Naturally This Winter

IAS Officer Ashish Bhatgain navigates a 2-km lake formation on the Shambhu River this winter—revealing how nature’s outlet averted disaster.
Indian Masterminds Stories

In the picturesque Pinder Valley of Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar district, an unusual sight has become an annual occurrence. Each year, landslides block the flow of the Shambhu River, leading to the formation of a temporary lake. While these formations are often minor and manageable, this year’s event was different.

The lake, stretching over two kilometers, raised eyebrows and concerns alike. Residents of nearby villages, including Kunwari in Bageshwar and downstream areas like Armal, Tharali, and Narayanbagad in Chamoli, were on edge. Memories of past instances where sudden bursts of such lakes led to downstream flooding added to the anxiety.

Indian Masterminds spoke with IAS Ashish Bhatgain, a 2017 batch officer, and the DM of Bageshwar, to know details about the same.

A POTENTIAL THREAT AMPLIFIED

“The lake formation is not new, but this time it was larger—about 2,000 meters compared to the usual 500 meters,” said the officer.

The sheer size of the lake this year sparked initial fears. Experts warned of possible catastrophic impacts if the natural dam of debris were to give way suddenly. “Tectonic shifts in the region are causing frequent landslides,” said Professor Sunil Nautiyal, director of the GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment. “Such lakes in Himalayan rivers can lead to devastating floods downstream if left unchecked.”

Initial assessments highlighted the urgency of the situation. With the debris blockage restricting water flow, district authorities kept a close watch. However, to everyone’s relief, the lake had a natural outlet, which gradually drained the accumulated water without causing any damage.

A NATURAL SOLUTION AND WINTER’S ROLE

Speaking about the incident, Mr. Bhatgain noted, “This lake has been forming consistently for the past 3–4 years. What made it stand out this time was its size. Thankfully, a natural outlet prevented the situation from escalating.”

Winter also played a crucial role in mitigating the risk. With temperatures plummeting, much of the water froze, reducing the immediate threat of flooding.

“Had this occurred during the rainy season in May or June, the outcome might have been different. The water would’ve accumulated rapidly, increasing the risk for downstream villages,” shared with Indian Masterminds.

LEARNING FROM THE PAST

The incident underscores the need for vigilance in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. While natural drainage averted a crisis this time, experts and authorities agree that preventive measures are necessary to address such recurring challenges.

As the region heaves a sigh of relief, it also serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between nature and human settlements in the Himalayas. “Living here means coexisting with such phenomena. But we’ll continue to prioritize the safety of the people and their livelihoods,” he told Indian Masterminds.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
Policing, Trust, and Investment: Insights from IPF - Indian Masterminds
Indian Police Foundation Marks 10 Years, Discussion on How Policing Builds Investor Confidence
Madhya Pradesh football training
Mini Brazil to Germany: Vicharpur’s Young Footballers Get CM Mohan Yadav’s Blessings on Vijayadashami Week
bureaucracy news
Centre Announces Key Bureaucratic Appointments & Deputation Extensions: Neeraj Surendran, Arun G, Anand Mohan Among Key Names
PM Modi CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar Receives Rs. 10,219 Crore from Centre: A Festive Gift On Vijayadashami to Fuel Development & Welfare, Backed by GST Reforms
Chhattisgarh government
Chhattisgarh CM Charts Development Roadmap: Push for Capital Expenditure, Biometric Attendance, & Transparent Governance
Vishnu Deo Sai CM
Chhattisgarh Gets Rs. 3,462 Crore Boost from Modi Government: Here's How CM Sai Pledges To Spend It!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
Dr. S.K
Technology Meets Ecology: IFS Dr S K Srivastava’s Game-Changing Innovations in Forest Management | Eco Warrior Awards 2025 Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
India’s Missile Strikes on 11 Pakistani Airbases Forced Islamabad Into Panic: Ex-UK Envoy Reveals Secret Saudi Defense Pact
Devendra Kumar Tiwari Alka Tiwari  IAS Jharkhand
First IAS Couple in India to Hold Both Chief Secretary & State Election Commissioner Posts Consecutively - Know This Powerful Pair
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
Dr. S.K
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT