National
Lowering of water level in Imja Lake to start from Saturday
The lowering of water level in Imja Lake, one of the fastest-growing and potentially dangerous glacial lakes in high altitude regions, by 3.5 metres is starting from Saturday and expected to be completed within one week.The lowering of water level in Imja Lake, one of the fastest-growing and potentially dangerous glacial lakes in high altitude regions, by 3.4 metres is starting from Saturday and expected to be completed within one week.
“The construction of required infrastructures, including a controlled drainage canal and gates to control the flow of water level through the canal is completed. The lowering of water by 3.4 metres will be completed in next one week starting from Saturday,” said Binod Parajuli, a hydrologist at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), the government body implementing the project in collaboration with various stakeholders.
In March this year, DHM signed a letter of agreement with the Engineering Department of Nepal Army to lower the water level of Imja glacial lake that is located at an altitude of 5,010 metres by more than three metres by the end of October, to reduce the risks of possible glacial lake outburst floods due to fast glacier melting rate.
Issuing a statement on Friday, DHM has requested downstream communities from Chukung to Juving along Imja and Dudhkoshi River to remain alert during the period of controlled lowering of water level of Imja lake.