Sikkim Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Disaster of 2023: Geoinformatics- Based Assessment of Causes and Impact

The 2023, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in Sikkim represents a critical disaster event driven by the outburst of South Lhonak Lake, exacerbated by climate change. This catastrophic incident caused massive flooding, which destroyed infrastructure, displaced communities, and resulted in significant loss of life. This study aims to assess the event using Geoinformatics, integrating remote sensing, GIS, and hydro-meteorological modelling. By analysing satellite imagery, Digital Elevation models (DEMs), and meteorological data, the study seeks to understand the causes of the GLOF and its impact on the region’s topography and hydrology.The research addresses key questions surrounding the geophysical and climatic factors contributing to the GLOF, the role of topographical features in flood dynamics, and how remote sensing tools helped in detecting pre- and post-event changes. A detailed assessment of the damage caused to infrastructure, human settlements, and ecosystems is conducted through the mapping of flood extents using high-resolution satellite data. The study also investigates the socio–economic and environmental impacts on the affected regions.