Lindur Village, situated in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, India, stands at an average elevation of 3,328 meters above sea level. Recently, this area has shown clear signs of subsidence and creep movement, particularly intensified during the monsoon season of 2023. Due to the subsidence of the land, the agricultural land and houses are showing cracks, which are increasing in width every month now, as said by locals.
A team from the Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, comprising two geologists, Nitesh Dhiman and Ankit Singh and two glaciologists, Ipshita Priyadarsini Pradhan and Kirti Kumar Mahanta, led by Dr. Dericks P Shukla investigated the subsidence area of Lindur village from 3/11/2023 to 4/11/2023. The team investigated the possible reason that led to the formation of cracks both in the agricultural field near the banks of Jahmala Nullah and several houses in the village. The presence of rock glaciers in close proximity to the village is particularly concerning. The Initial scientific investigations by the team suggest that these disturbances are closely connected to the movements of rock glaciers and permafrost surrounding the village.
The presence of extensive rock glaciers in the vicinity of the Lindur village may be a potential contributor to the observed crack. Lindur Village's topography indicates that rock glaciers are integral to the local geological settings. The alignment of the observed crack with the flow path of rock glaciers suggests a potential correlation between the two phenomena. Rock glaciers are highly sensitive to climate variations and they contribute to ground movement and deformation, exerting pressure on the underlying terrain. As these formations slowly move, they create stress and strain in the surrounding areas. The interaction between rock glaciers and the underlying permafrost layer may be a key factor in the development of the observed crack.
The potential coupling of these geological features raises questions about the magnitude and duration of their influence on the crack's formation.
Recognizing these dynamics is essential for developing strategies to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change and geological instability, ensuring the preservation of Lindur Village and similar communities. This situation underscores the broader implications of environmental changes and the critical need for comprehensive climate action.
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