ISRO, in its studies, has revealed that there is a 178% increase in the size of the Ghepang Ghat Glacial Lake. In which of the following States/UTs is this lake located ?
- A.Jammu & Kashmir
- B.Ladakh
- C.Himachal Pradesh
- D.Uttarakhand
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is C, Himachal Pradesh. Ghepang Ghat (Ghepan Gath) is a glacial lake in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, high in the Chandra river basin.
The lake lies at a height of about 4,000 metres and is fed by melting glacier ice. Satellite studies by ISRO found that its area grew sharply between 1989 and 2022, a sign of glacier retreat caused by a warming climate. Such fast-growing lakes are watched closely because a breach of their moraine dam can cause a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in the valleys downstream, as happened at South Lhonak lake in Sikkim in 2023.
Option A is wrong because the lake is not in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Option B is wrong because it is not in Ladakh, although Ladakh also has many glacial lakes. Option D is wrong because Uttarakhand's well-known glacial lakes include Kedartal and Satopanth Tal, not Ghepang Ghat.
Exam tip: Ghepang Ghat lake = Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh; growing glacial lakes raise the risk of GLOFs.
Practice Questions
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- B.Mizoram
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- D.Sikkim
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- B.4-2-1-3
- C.3-4-2-1
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Read the full explanation →