The Bhutanese Leading the way.
In the remote highlands of Lunana, Bhutan is confronting one of the most pressing threats brought on by climate change: glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Thorthormi Lake, once part of a vast glacier system, is now a growing body of water fed by rapidly melting ice. Rising temperatures heighten the risk of Thorthormi Lake breaching its natural barriers and triggering a downstream disaster.
To address this danger, Druk Holding and Investments (DHI) has partnered with the Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. Together, they are combining international expertise with local knowledge to monitor and manage the risk posed by Thorthormi. Using advanced tools like water level sensors, time-lapse cameras, seismic monitors, radar systems, and LiDAR scanning, the team is observing the lake’s behavior and the surrounding terrain in real time.
These technologies allow scientists to detect early signs of danger, whether it is a shift in water levels, a landslide, or the weakening of natural barriers.
A glaciologist from Newcastle University, Professor Rachel Carr, explained that these tools are helping them understand not just surface changes, but also what lies beneath the moraine.
“We can now look inside the land barriers holding the lake to see if ice remains trapped within them. This is essential for predicting when and how a breach might occur,” Professor Carr said.
However, technology alone isn’t enough. The project also places strong emphasis on listening to people living in Lunana and nearby regions. They are among the first to feel the impact of changing climate patterns and are often the most vulnerable in the event of a flood.
A Bhutanese PhD researcher, Sonam Rinzin, noted that local communities are deeply concerned. He said, “People, here, remember past floods. They know how damaging they can be. By combining their experiences with real-time data, we can design more effective early warning systems.”
The collaboration also highlights the importance of bridging research and real-world application.
The study will later expand to Luggye Tsho, the source of the devastating 1994 GLOF, to understand and prevent future disasters. Findings from this work will be integrated into Bhutan’s national early warning systems, managed by the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology, to ensure timely alerts and save lives.
As glaciers continue to shrink and high-altitude lakes grow more unstable, Bhutan’s efforts in Thorthormi could serve as a model for other vulnerable mountain regions. The blend of local knowledge, scientific innovation, and institutional support marks a shift from merely monitoring the threat to actively preparing for it.
As reported by this paper earlier, Bhutan is also preparing to test an innovative siphon-based water management system to reduce the risk of a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) from Thorthormi Lake.
The siphon system uses High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipes to draw water from the surface of the glacial lake and discharge it safely downstream, thereby gradually lowering the lake’s water level without the need for heavy excavation or explosives.
According to the NCHM, an initial assessment phase will be conducted between May and June 2025 to study lake conditions, monitor flow behavior, and finalize system installation plans.
The full testing of the siphon system is scheduled for the autumn season, from September to October 2025, when glacier melt rates are typically high and water levels peak.
