Abstract ID: 3.10429 | Accepted as Poster | Poster | TBA | TBA

Glaciers are very important natural resources of fresh water in the world. Sometimes glaciers are also called water towers. The Himalayan, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush “HKH” mountain series, having thousands of glaciers, play a vital role in the survival of humans and other living organisms in the adjacent areas. The glacier meltwater from the HKH region feeds dozens of rivers, including the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra rivers, and other rivers of Pakistan, India, Nepal, China, and Afghanistan. These rivers play a vital role in agriculture, drinking, and hydro-power generation in the sub-catchment areas. Global warming and glacier melting is one of the major issues in the world, especially in the HKH mountain region, which eventually triggered Glacier Lake Outburst Flood “GLOF” events and is responsible for the destruction of infrastructure, bridges, agricultural land, and residential areas of the villages in the sub-catchment areas. Badswat Glacier is vulnerable to global warming and had multiple GLOF events in the past. This research aims to analyze the temporal changes in Badswat Glacier from 1990 to 2020 using remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Satellite imagery from USGS Landsat (1994, 2001, 2010, 2015, and 2021) was processed to assess glacier retreat, changes in snow cover, and the presence of glacier lakes. The findings indicate a reduction in glacier-covered area from 222.66 km² in 1994 to 206 km² in 2021, with a total glacier retreat of 480 meters over the study period. Multiple glacier lakes were identified, highlighting the potential risk of future GLOF events. Historical data analysis indicates that Badswat Valley experienced two major GLOF events, on July 18, 2018, and July 18, 2021. These events, triggered by sub-glacial lakes, caused destruction to agricultural land, blocked the Karambar River, and damaged infrastructure. The 2018 event led to the destruction of 2,431.52 kanals of agricultural land, while the 2021 event affected 1,245.41 kanals, destroyed orchards and homes, and displaced local communities. Both events highlight the increasing vulnerability of Badswat Glacier to climate-induced hazards and the need for proactive monitoring and mitigation strategies