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Glacier Data Boosted: New Sensor at Gangotri
31 Jul
Summary
- Radar sensor installed near Gangotri glacier for water level monitoring.
- Device aims to improve climate change monitoring in Bhagirathi river.
- Sensor data aids understanding of glacier response to climate shifts.
A new radar sensor has been installed near the Gangotri glacier's snout by scientists from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology. Located approximately 3.5 km downstream of Gomukh, the non-contact Automatic Water Level and Velocity Sensor (AWLVS) will continuously measure water levels and flow velocity in the Bhagirathi river.
This data is vital for improving climate change monitoring. Researchers will use the continuous river discharge information to better understand the glacier's response to a changing climate and seasonal melt patterns. The project is supported by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority.
Despite challenges in installing equipment in unstable terrain, a safer site was identified after a previous device was lost to a flash flood. This new sensor supplements a network established in 2023, including weather and seismic stations, to provide comprehensive real-time data on environmental conditions and glacier behavior.
