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
Related Stories
NEWS
NHPC_resized_2
NHPC Begins Commercial Operations for 600 MW at Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project
BEL Bharat Electronics Limited
BEL Achieves Record Rs 23,000 Crore Turnover in FY 2024-25
UPPCS PSC New
UP DPC Meeting to Promote 27 PCS Officers to IAS Cadre; Central Govt Allocates Rs 236 Crore for Home Guard Reimbursement
Surendra-Singh-Yadav IPS
IPS Surendra Singh Yadav Appointed Deputy Inspector General in BSF, Relieved from Chandigarh DGP Post
President Droupadi Murmu resized
President Droupadi Murmu Lauds RBI's 90-Year Journey, Emphasizes Innovative Financial Ecosystem for Viksit Bharat 2047
Jammu&Kashmir
48 Officers Transferred Across J&K in Major Bureaucratic Reshuffle, Md Ashraf Sheikh Made ADC, Awantipora
NHPC_resized_2
NHPC to Begin Investment in 750-MW Kuppa Pumped Storage Project in FY26
Coal Production (resized)
India's Coal Production Surpasses 1-Billion Tonne Milestone for FY 2024-25, Shows 4.99% Growth
Videos
Padmapani Bora IRS
The Rise of Assam as India’s Most Exciting Tourist Spot | Exclusive with IRS Padmapani Bora
Sajjan Yadav, IAS
The Policy Maker Who Turned India’s Vaccine Story and UPSC Struggles into Bestsellers
WhatsApp Image 2025-03-21 at 14.33
Training The Cops In Mastering The Technology Used By Criminals
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
NHPC_resized_2
NHPC Begins Commercial Operations for 600 MW at Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project
BEL Bharat Electronics Limited
BEL Achieves Record Rs 23,000 Crore Turnover in FY 2024-25
Videos
Padmapani Bora IRS
Sajjan Yadav, IAS
WhatsApp Image 2025-03-21 at 14.33
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT