A new study has mapped 219 hanging glaciers in Uttarakhand's Alaknanda basin, providing a detailed assessment of these steep-slope ice formations and highlighting the need for closer monitoring as the Himalayan region warms.
Dehradun/New Delhi: Uttarakhand's Alaknanda basin is home to 219 hanging glaciers, according to a new study that provides one of the first basin-scale inventories of such glaciers in the Central Himalaya.
The study, titled "Basin-scale inventory and exposure assessment of hanging glaciers, Central Himalaya," was published in Natural Hazards in April 2026.
Researchers estimate that the 219 hanging glaciers cover a combined area of 71.7 ± 3.5 square kilometres and contain approximately 2.39 ± 0.42 cubic kilometres of ice. Of this, around 0.74 ± 0.14 cubic kilometres is hanging ice mass, accounting for roughly one-third of the estimated total ice volume.
What Are Hanging Glaciers?
Unlike conventional valley glaciers that occupy valley floors, hanging glaciers are situated on steep mountain slopes. Their location and terrain make them an important component of high-altitude glacier research, particularly when assessing ice stability and potential exposure downstream.
The researchers note that rapid warming and climate change are increasing glacier instability across the Himalayan region. Changing temperatures can influence glacier geometry, surface conditions and the stability of ice masses located on steep slopes.
The study states that while hanging glaciers have been extensively investigated in regions such as the European Alps, basin-scale assessments in the Himalayas remain limited.
How The Glaciers Were Mapped
To prepare the inventory, the researchers used the GlabTop2 model, a glacier-thickness and ice-volume assessment tool, to analyse the Alaknanda basin in the Garhwal Himalaya.
The assessment identified 219 hanging glaciers distributed across the basin and examined their area, elevation, slope characteristics and estimated ice volume.
The glaciers occur at high elevations and are generally located on sharply inclined terrain. Their distribution and physical characteristics provide researchers with a baseline for further assessment of glacier behaviour and stability in the region.
Speaking to NDTV, Ashim Sattar, co-author of the study and Assistant Professor at IIT Bhubaneswar, said the findings provide important new information about hanging glaciers in Uttarakhand.
"Climate change is significantly impacting a large part of the Himalayan region. Our study indicates the presence of 219 'hanging glaciers' in Uttarakhand. This is one of the first inventories of hanging glaciers in the state."
Nearly One-Third Of Ice Classified As Hanging Mass
One of the study's key findings is the estimated proportion of ice associated with hanging glacier sections.
While the 219 glaciers together contain an estimated 2.39 cubic kilometres of ice, approximately 0.74 cubic kilometres is identified as hanging ice. This means that roughly 31% of the estimated total ice volume falls within the hanging-ice category.
The researchers say the inventory can help establish a scientific baseline for future studies examining changes in glacier size, ice distribution and stability.
Climate Change Adds To The Concern
The Himalayan region has experienced significant warming in recent decades, with temperatures rising faster than the global average in many high-altitude areas.
For glaciers located on steep slopes, continued warming may alter ice conditions and contribute to changes in their stability. The researchers therefore emphasise the importance of systematic monitoring and detailed assessments of hanging glaciers.
The study's findings also underline the need to incorporate glacier characteristics into broader mountain-region planning, particularly as development and infrastructure expand into high-altitude areas.
Uttarakhand Already Has Glacier Monitoring Systems
The new inventory adds to ongoing glacier and glacial-lake monitoring work being carried out in Uttarakhand by government agencies and scientific institutions.
The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) has been monitoring several glaciers in the state, including the Dokriyani Glacier in the Bhagirathi basin, Chorabari Glacier in the Mandakini basin and Dunagiri Glacier in the Alaknanda basin.
Government agencies are also assessing vulnerable glacial lakes in Uttarakhand and undertaking scientific studies to better understand changing conditions in the state's high-altitude regions.
Researchers say the newly mapped hanging glaciers can now provide a foundation for more detailed field observations, remote-sensing studies and long-term monitoring.
Why The Inventory Matters
The significance of the study lies in establishing a comprehensive inventory of hanging glaciers across an entire Himalayan basin.
With 219 such glaciers now identified, scientists have a clearer picture of their distribution, area and estimated ice volume. This information can support future research into how these glaciers respond to rising temperatures and changing environmental conditions.
The researchers emphasise that continued observation will be important as the Himalayan cryosphere undergoes rapid change.
For Uttarakhand, the inventory offers a valuable scientific baseline for understanding the state's high-altitude ice environment and for developing more systematic approaches to glacier monitoring in the years ahead.
