Abstract ID: 3.11301 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Climate change-driven glacial melt is intensifying Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) risks in the Indian Himalayan region, posing complex socio-ecological challenges for mountain communities. GLOFs destabilise landscapes, trigger downstream flooding and sedimentation and threaten ecosystems, critical infrastructure, lives and livelihoods in the Indian Himalayas. The rapid expansion of hydropower projects further amplifies these risks, exacerbating flood severity and endangering community safety. This ongoing research, conducted in Sikkim (Eastern Himalayas) and Himachal Pradesh (Western Himalayas) adopts a participatory approach to co-produce actionable GLOF risk management strategies. Through in-depth interviews, participatory workshops, and photo elicitation techniques, this study aims to map GLOF-related cascading and compounding risks, develop community-informed evidence-based protocols for GLOF preparedness and response. Initial findings from Sikkim case study indicate inadequate early warning systems and predominantly reactive disaster responses and heightened vulnerabilities due to hydropower dam failures and unregulated infrastructure expansion. This research will contribute to knowledge sharing and best practices for GLOF risk mitigation in mountain regions facing similar challenges. It also informs broader discussions on mountain social-ecological futures by providing insights into the compounded and cascading nature of disaster risks. Beyond regional implications, the findings support global mountain resilience strategies. At the community level, the study enhances awareness of GLOF risks, empowering local populations to take proactive measures for disaster preparedness.