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
IRS Officers ndian revenue Services
CBI Arrests IRS Officer, Private Individual for Leaking Data Under Faceless Tax Scheme
HLL Lifecare
HLL Lifecare Unveils New Brand Identity for AMRIT Pharmacies, Marks 10 Years of Affordable Healthcare Mission
Titagarh Rail System
Titagarh Rail Systems & BHEL Inaugurate Vande Bharat Sleeper Train Production Line in West Bengal
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services (IAS)
Orissa High Court Rejects Anticipatory Bail of IAS Manish Agrawal in Stenographer Suicide Case
indian-forest-service IFS Officers
2 IFS Officers, Including Sajjad Hussain Mufti, Promoted in Ladakh and J&K
hudco-foundation-day
HUDCO Celebrates 55 Years, Charts Ambitious Growth Path to Fuel India's Infrastructure Vision
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd
GRSE CMD Cmde PR Hari Honoured with Management Excellence Award 2025
IRFC
IRFC Emerges as Lowest Bidder for Rs. 5,000 Crore Loan to NTPC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WAVES 2025 (Ashutosh Mohile)
A Davos-Like Media & Entertainment Summit in Mumbai
Aditya Vikram Agarwal
The Shouts of Joy Were Real: Aditya’s UPSC Rank 9 Was a Family Celebration
Dr Lokesh M IAS
E-Rickshaw Chaos, Waterlogging, Traffic Mess — Can Noida Fix Its Daily Chaos? | Exclusive with Dr Lokesh M, IAS
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-25 at 16.19
IFS or Nothing: Why Shreya Tyagi Gave Up ITS, IDAS And IRS for Her Real Dream | Exclusive
From a curious young girl in Bahrain to an Indian Foreign Service officer, Shreya’s pursuit of diplomacy...
Hemant Mishra UPSC CSE 2024
From Bihar to UP’s SDM: How Hemant Mishra Cleared UPPCS Twice, BPSC, and Secured AIR 13 in UPSC
Hemant Mishra, a resilient Bihar native, cleared UPPCS twice, BPSC, and secured AIR 13 in UPSC CSE while...
Sanskriti Trivedy
AIR 17 Sanskriti Trivedy’s Final Shot at UPSC Hits the Bullseye
Despite already securing Rank 352 and joining IDAS, SanskritiTrivedy didn’t give up on her dream. In...
Social Media
Exam Student Aspirant
'Bramhastra' For Aspirants Appearing for UPSC Prelims Exam 2025, ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Final Month Strategy
Officer Shaikh's practical and focused suggestions come as a timely morale booster for thousands of candidates...
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IRS Officers ndian revenue Services
CBI Arrests IRS Officer, Private Individual for Leaking Data Under Faceless Tax Scheme
HLL Lifecare
HLL Lifecare Unveils New Brand Identity for AMRIT Pharmacies, Marks 10 Years of Affordable Healthcare Mission
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WAVES 2025 (Ashutosh Mohile)
Aditya Vikram Agarwal
Dr Lokesh M IAS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT