A rock mass, weakened due to years of freezing and thawing of snow, may have led to the creation of a weak zone, triggering its collapse that resulted in flash floods in the Chamoli district on Sunday, initial observations by scientists of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) suggest.
The crashing rock mass also brought earth and mounds of snow with it. The friction may have resulted in heating, which could have caused the floods, the observations suggest.
Scientists from the institute conducted a helicopter survey to find clues what led to the deadly flash floods that swept everything in its way.
Kalachand Sain, Director of the WIHG, said the glaciers where the incident occurred feed the Rishi Ganga river that ultimately joins the Dhauli Ganga.
“This region has a very steep gradient. Our observations suggest that the rock mass may have weakened due to freezing and thawing. This sometimes leads to the development of a weak zone and fractures.
“As the rock mass weakened, the glacier and snow came down crashing, it resulted in flash floods,” he said.
The steep slopes of the mountains in the region further increased the intensity of the crash.
Two teams of the WIHG comprising five glaciologists left for Joshimath on Monday to ascertain the reason behind the incident.
An institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the WIHG studies the Himalayan environment and its geology. Mr. Sain said an initial report will also be sent to the DST.
Published - February 09, 2021 09:39 pm IST
