Govt plans to measure depth of Himalayan glaciers to assess water availability
PTI, Dec 21, 2020, 8:20 AM IST
New Delhi: As global warming affects the Himalayas, the Ministry of Earth Sciences is planning to measure the depth of glaciers in the region to assess their volume and gauge the water available in them, officials said on Sunday.
The project will start next summer, sometime in June-July, said, M Rajeevan, the ministry’s secretary. Ravichandran, the Director of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), which will execute the project, said the country’s remote and high-altitude research centre, Himansh, is also studying the Himalayan climate. The centre was established in 2016.
”The plan is to first study seven glaciers in the Chandra river basin,” he said.
The Chandra river is a major tributary of the Chenab river which itself is a tributary of the Indus. The Himalayan glaciers are a major source of water for rivers originating from there. The Himalayan rivers are also a lifeline for the Indo-Gangetic plains, home to several million people.
The NCPOR director said while the area of the glaciers is already known with the help of satellites, what needs to be known is the volume.
”The purpose of studying the depth of the glaciers is to understand the volume. This will also help us understand the availability of water and whether the glaciers are increasing or shrinking,” Ravichandran added.
He said they will be using a radar technology that uses microwave signals. It can penetrate through the ice and reach the rocks, something which the satellite images cannot do. The signals, after reflecting on the rocks can help understand the depth.
”The US and the UK have the technology. So, we will be taking the help of that technology,” Ravichandran added.
At first, the plan is to use helicopters that will carry these radars. Once successful, subsequent studies would be carried out in the rest of the Himalayas. Later, an aircraft or drone could be used depending on the radars for studying other glaciers, Ravichandran noted.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’
Kerala HC quashes FIR against Goa Guv over remarks on Sabarimala women entry
Smriti Irani embarks on four-nation tour to promote book on PM Modi
Karnataka Milk Federation enters Delhi-NCR, offers competitive pricing on Nandini products
Rahul, Congress tried since 2002 to target Modi’s image, PM’s credibility remains high: BJP
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Siddaramaiah says confident of winning all three bypolls in Karnataka
Hop on! IT Minister Priyank Kharge checks out Uber Shuttle at Bengaluru Tech Summit
Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’
Kidnapped for ransom in 1998, 26/11 survivor Gautam Adani faces biggest trial
AIMPLB to hold its annual general sessions in Bengaluru from November 23
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.