Glaciers in Bhutan

The glaciers in Bhutan, which covers about 3 percent of the total surface area, are responsible for feeding all rivers of Bhutan except the Amochu and Nyere Amachu.

Not much historical information is available on these glacial systems; the first modern survey was conducted by Augusto Gansser-Biaggi in the 1970s, who developed a chronology of past glaciations, and warned of imminent glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) in Lunana. This prompted the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Geological Survey of Bhutan (GSB) to carry out joint surveys in the mid-80s, and their report rejected Biaggi's threat-assessment. On 7 October 1994, a GLOF from Luggye lake (part of Lunana glacial system) led to over 20 fatalities in Punakha.

This disaster, the first of its kind in Modern Bhutan, increased the frequency of glacial-system-surveys by manifold. Evaluation of GLOF hazard has since formed a significant component of glacial expeditions. Multiple inventory-lists of glaciers and glacial lakes in Bhutan exist. The precise figures vary to some extent, based on the methodology used.