Green Nod for Hydro Project in Uttarakhand | 08 Oct 2024
Why in News?
Recently, a fresh approval for the Phata Byung Hydropower Project in Uttarakhand hinges on environmental, forest, and wildlife clearances.
Key Points
- Project:
- It is a 76 MW run-of-the-river project on the Mandakini River in Rudraprayag.
- The project was extensively damaged during the 2013 floods caused by a cloudburst.
- The Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry stressed forest and National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) clearances.
- Concerns:
- Glacial lake outburst floods are a major concern.
- There are 24 lakes near the site and 6 are considered critical.
The Mandakini River
- It is a tributary of the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand.
- The river runs for approximately 81 kilometers between the Rudraprayag and Sonprayag areas and emerges from the Chorabari Glacier.
- The Mandakini merges with river Songanga at Sonprayag and flows past the Madhyamaheshwar temple at Ukhimath.
- At the end of its course it drains into the Alaknanda, which flows into the Ganges.
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
- About:
- A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a type of catastrophic flood that occurs when the dam containing a glacial lake fails, releasing a large volume of water.
- This type of flood is typically caused by rapid melting of glaciers or the buildup of water in the lake due to heavy precipitation or the inflow of meltwater.
- In February 2021, Chamoli district in Uttarakhand witnessed flash floods which are suspected to have been caused by GLOFs.
- Causes:
- These floods can be triggered by a number of factors, including changes in the volume of the glacier, changes in the water level of the lake, and earthquakes.
- According to NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority), glacial retreat due to climate change occurring in most parts of the Hindu Kush Himalayas has given rise to the formation of numerous new glacial lakes, which are the major cause of GLOFs