Study warns hanging glaciers above Badrinath pose avalanche risk

A peer-reviewed study in the journal Landslides has assessed three hanging glaciers between 4,700 and 5,465 metres above Badrinath and the danger they pose if they detach. Researchers from IISc, the University of Cambridge and DRDO warn such ice avalanches can unleash sudden floods of water and debris. The pilgrimage town, at about 3,415 metres, drew around 1.7 million visitors in 2025.