A GLOF is a sudden and catastrophic release of water from a glacial lake, typically caused when the natural dam (usually ice, moraine, or landslide debris) containing the lake fails. Example : Example: South Lhonak Lake GLOF, Sikkim (2023)

• Causes
  • Melting of glaciers due to global warming and climate change.
  • Earthquakes or landslides can cause a dam breach.
  • Ice or rock avalanches into the lake, creating surge waves.
  • Sudden glacier calving (chunks breaking off).
  • Intense rainfall or rapid snowmelt increases lake volume.
  • Unregulated development in glacial valleys.
  • Deforestation reducing natural flood barriers.
• Impacts
  • Loss of life and infrastructure.
  • Changing of the landscape and biodiversity loss.
• Vulnerable Regions in India
  • Mostly in the Himalayan States: Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Source: Down To Earth