TAWANG, 28 Aug: A team from the Tawang district disaster management authority (DDMA), led by deputy commissioner Kanki Darang, completed a survey of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) potential towards Dungchhen Tso, located above Bhaggajang pilgrimage to the southwest of Dzela Peak, and returned on Tuesday evening.
Earlier, on Monday, the team-including superintendent of police D.W Thongon, additional deputy commissioner Hakraso Kri, circle officers Khoda Oniya and Tage Moonya, Jang WRD AE Kago Kani, DDMO Genden Tsomu, trek leaders Jambey Dondu, Yuthembu village Gaon Burah Choikyong Gombu and army representatives-commenced their second expedition to survey GLOF risks towards Dungchhen Tso. They halted at Bhaggajang on Monday night, where they encountered a heavy storm and chilling cold.
On Tuesday morning, the team proceeded towards Dungchhen Tso, climbing to the peak at 4500 meters above sea level. Dungchhen Tso is one of the largest lakes among the 20 high-altitude lakes in the Bhaggajang area, stretching over one kilometer in length and featuring approximately five small islands. The people of Tawang and West Kameng consider these high-altitude lakes sacred and visit them for pilgrimage.
The team determined that Dungchhen Tso is not a glacial lake but has only one outlet. The exit water flows into a smaller lake, which eventually flows towards Tombi Pho near Nuranang. If the outlet were to become blocked due to climatic changes or a cloudburst, the lake could pose a danger to settlements such as Nuranang and other villages along the Tawangchhu River. (DIPRO)
