4th Khangri Glacier Expedition

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Why in the News?

The 4th Khangri Glacier Expedition is a major scientific expedition launched in the Mago Chu basin of Arunachal Pradesh to study how Himalayan glaciers are responding to the impacts of climate change. This initiative aims to enhance India’s understanding of the Eastern Himalayan cryosphere, one of the least explored regions in glaciological research.

The Arunachal Himalayas have a vast glaciated expanse, but detailed scientific studies remain limited.
The region hosts around 161 glaciers, covering nearly 223 km², distributed across four major river basins –
- Manas,
- Subansiri,
- Kameng, and
- Dibang.

Conduct systematic studies on glacier mass balance and dynamics to understand their differential responses to changing climatic conditions.
Examine the formation and evolution of glacial lakes and assess the potential risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
Collect long-term data on snow accumulation, melt patterns, and hydrological behaviour of glaciers.

These glacial basins serve as the headwaters of the Brahmaputra River system, a lifeline for millions across Northeast India and downstream regions.
Understanding their behaviour is crucial for regional water security, flood management, and sustainable resource planning.

Strengthens India’s scientific monitoring capacity in the Eastern Himalayas.
Provides critical insights into the climate–cryosphere–hydrology linkages affecting the Himalayan ecosystem.
Contributes to the national strategy on climate resilience and disaster risk reduction, particularly against potential GLOF events.
Offers valuable data for policy planning related to climate adaptation, water management, and sustainable mountain development.

Located in the Mago Chu basin, in the region of the Gori Chen (Gorichen) mountain region of Tawang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Its altitude for key mass-balance measurement sits around 5,032 metres above sea level.
The glacier is part of one of the less-studied cryospheric systems in the eastern Himalayas.

Water resources & hydrology: Glaciers like Khangri feed into river systems, sustain downstream communities and ecosystems, especially in the eastern Himalayas.
Climate change indicator: Serve as a key site for scientists to monitor how glaciers in the Eastern Himalaya are responding to climate change.
Hazard risk: Researchers have flagged associated glacial lakes (Rani Lake) at risk of a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).

A joint expedition by the Centre for Earth Sciences & Himalayan Studies (CESHS), National Centre for Polar & Ocean Research (NCPOR), and IIT, Guwahati conducted field work in April 2025: measuring mass balance, surveying lakes and moraines, maintaining automatic weather stations.
Satellite-data analysis (2016-2025): the glacier is retreating, with pro-glacial lakes expanding in its basin.
One survey recorded about 1.5 metres of ice melt in a specified season.
The glacier’s behaviour and associated lakes have been classified under the hazard category by NDMA as “Category-B” for potential glacial lake outburst.

As the glacier melts and retreats, it leaves behind accumulating meltwater and forms glacial lakes that can be unstable. If a moraine dam breaks or is overtopped, a sudden flood (GLOF) may occur.
Because this region is remote and high-altitude, early warning systems are harder to maintain, and downstream communities may be vulnerable.
The rapid changes in this glacier highlight how the Himalayan cryosphere may respond to climate change – with implications for water security, disaster risk, and ecosystem shifts.