Dehradun, Sept. 3 -- Officials on Wednesday cited an assessment by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun, to note that small glacial lakes observed in the Gangotri Glacier region did not pose any immediate threat of large-scale flooding or a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). Officials said the institute shared its assessment with the USDMA through email, based on the latest available satellite imagery, field observations and an analysis of the glacier's geographical and hydrological conditions. The assessment noted that most of the small supraglacial lakes observed in the region are temporary in nature and contain very limited quantities of water. Such lakes generally form when meltwater temporarily accumulates in small depressions created by melting ice on the glacier surface. Their size and water volume can change rapidly depending on temperature, snowmelt, rainfall and changing surface conditions. The lakes may subsequently disappear naturally through drainage, refreezing or changes in the glacier surface. Officials said the lakes currently observed in the Gangotri Glacier generally do not have the capacity to store massive quantities of water, reducing the likelihood of a sudden release. The institute stressed that the mere presence of a water body on or around a glacier should not automatically be treated as an indication of an impending disaster. It said glacial lakes cannot be placed under a single category while assessing their potential risks. Factors such as geographical location, catchment area, glacial conditions and local geomorphology can vary considerably from one lake to another. A comprehensive assessment needs to take into account all these and also the manner in which water has accumulated, the characteristics of the dam holding the water, the structure and condition of the surrounding glacier, possible drainage routes and the geographical conditions around the lake.The institute said the small supraglacial lakes that periodically appear in the Gangotri Glacier region are largely part of natural seasonal and surface processes associated with the glacier. WIHG and the USDMA are already jointly monitoring Himalayan glaciers and glacial lakes to track changes associated with climate conditions and glacier melt. The monitoring programme involves regular analysis of satellite data, supplemented by need-based field surveys and scientific studies. Officials said satellite-based monitoring enables authorities and scientists to track changes in the size and characteristics of glacial water bodies over time. Where necessary, field surveys can be undertaken to obtain more detailed information about local conditions. Therefore, the potential hazard associated with a glacial lake needs to be assessed individually on the basis of its specific geographical, glacial and hydrological characteristics rather than simply on the basis of its existence. The latest scientific assessment indicates that the small supraglacial lakes currently observed in the Gangotri Glacier region do not constitute a major immediate threat. However, continued satellite-based and field-based monitoring remains important to identify any significant changes in the glacier or its water bodies and enable authorities to respond to emerging risks in a timely manner....