Multi-parametrical analysis of Haptal glacier, lower Chenab basin, Jammu and Kashmir, India: A remote sensing approach

Abstract

Himalayan glaciers have shown a retreating trend since the Little Ice Age (LIA) in response to climate change. As glaciers are crucial for water security and ecological sustainability, it becomes necessary to map and monitor the glacial status from time to time. The present study is focused on the study of Haptal glacier located in the Bhuzas sub-basin of Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir (UT), India, between the Pir-Panjal and Greater Himalayan range using satellite data. Results revealed that the glacier retreated continuously at progressive rates between 1980 and 2020, with an annual retreat rate of 28.25 ± 1.85 m a⁻¹. During 1999–2009, the highest (67.93 ± 2.8 m a⁻¹) retreat rate was observed. Maximum surface velocity was estimated during 1999–2000 (38.5 ± 4.7 m a⁻¹), while the glacier experienced the minimum surface velocity during 2019–2020 (32.5 ± 3.7 m a⁻¹). The glacier has lost its area (22.60 ± 8.18%), glacial length (10.95 ± 0.7%), and glacier ice volume (1.47 ± 0.56 km³; 29.63 ± 11.47%) during the study period. Modelled mean ice thickness using Glabtop2 for the glacier is estimated at 129.28 ± 13 m. The accumulation area values showed a decreasing trend of 10.89 ± 0.56 km² to 8.15 ± 0.3 km², indicating a change of 25.05 ± 5.8% between 1999 and 2020. Upward migration of snow line altitude from 5148 m (1999) to 5198 m (2020) indicates enhanced melting and glacier loss during the study period. The study further revealed that there is an overall decreasing trend in specific mass balance.

Research highlights

• Haptal glacier retreated at progressive rates between 1980 and 2020

• The rate of the recession was higher during 1999–2009

• The upward migration of SLA showed melting process during the study period

• Surface ice velocity of glacier is reduced during 1999–2021.

• Temperature shows increasing trend and precipitation shows decreasing trend.