Tawang, May 10:
The 5th Khangri Glacier Scientific Expedition (2026) has been successfully completed in the remote Mago Chu Basin of Tawang district, Arunachal Pradesh, marking another significant milestone in long-term glacier monitoring efforts in the Eastern Himalayas.
The scientific mission commenced on May 4, 2026, focusing on the climate-sensitive Khangri Glacier, one of the least-explored glacier systems in the region. The expedition revealed several alarming signs of rapid environmental and geomorphological transformation linked to climate change and rising temperatures.
Major Findings from the Expedition
During the field study, researchers observed that the glacier snout is rapidly collapsing, leading to the formation of unstable terrain and increasing geomorphological vulnerability in the region.
One of the most concerning discoveries was the formation of a proglacial lake at an altitude of nearly 16,500 feet. Scientists warned that the newly formed lake could pose a serious Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) threat to downstream areas of the Mago Chu Basin if instability increases in the future.
The expedition team also recorded critically high glacier melt rates despite comparatively healthy winter snowfall this year. Experts stated that ongoing climate variability and rising temperatures continue to accelerate glacier retreat across the Eastern Himalayas.
Scientific Activities Conducted
To strengthen long-term cryosphere monitoring and glacier research, the team successfully installed five new scientific monitoring stakes at elevations reaching up to 17,000 feet.
The expedition further carried out detailed snow density and glacier mass balance measurements to assess annual accumulation and melting patterns. Researchers also collected data from Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) to analyse extreme weather conditions and retrieved hydrological data from Automatic Water Level Recorders (AWLR) for water-flow and flood-related assessments.
Additionally, moraine and water samples were collected from the glacier snout for advanced scientific analysis.
Joint Scientific Initiative
The expedition was jointly conducted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research and the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies.
Since 2022, both institutions have been carrying out systematic field-based glacier monitoring in the Eastern Himalayas to generate critical scientific data on glacier sensitivity to global warming and climate change impacts.
Speaking on the expedition, Er. Nyelam Sunil, Head of the Cryosphere Division at the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS), stated that the 5th Khangri Glacier Scientific Expedition was among the toughest expeditions undertaken since the programme began in 2022 due to challenging terrain, weather conditions, and the remote high-altitude environment.
Scientists emphasized that the Eastern Himalayan cryosphere remains one of India’s most vulnerable mountain ecosystems. Through continuous monitoring, collaborative research, and scientific assessment, the expedition aims to contribute toward the protection of fragile Himalayan ecosystems and downstream communities dependent on glacier-fed water resources.
