what is glof

GLOF stands for "glacial lake outburst flood". It is a type of outburst flood caused by the failure of a dam containing a glacial lake. GLOFs can be triggered by several reasons, including earthquakes, extremely heavy rains, and the rapid retreat of glaciers due to climate change. When a GLOF occurs, a significant amount of water retained in a glacial lake is suddenly released, resulting in extreme peak discharges that can cause catastrophic flooding downstream. GLOFs can have major geomorphic and socioeconomic impacts, including the destruction of infrastructure, flora, and fauna, and the loss of human lives. Proper monitoring and planning are necessary to avoid casualties in areas downstream of glacial lakes.